Kidnapped Anglican Bishop Kattey Regains Freedom

The kidnapped Dean of The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Archbishop of the Province of Niger Delta, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey, has regained freedom after a week in captivity. Kattey, who was abducted alongside his wife, Beatrice, on Friday, September 6, along Aleto-Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area of River State, was freed last night at Eleme. The kidnappers had earlier abandoned his wife before escaping into the bush with the cleric. His release by his abductors was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, DSP Angela Agabe, last night. While details of his release remained sketchy when filling this report last night , it could not also be confirmed if any ransom was paid. The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) had earlier in the day expressed dissatisfaction with the police handling of the matter. The position of the church was made known by the Archdeacon, Eleme Archdeaconry of the Church, Ven. Israel Omoisioni, while speaking on a live radio phone-in programme monitored in Port Harcourt. Omoisioni said; “We are dissatisfied with the way security agents are handling the matter. They are not doing enough. Up till now, we have not heard one word from the Archbishop or his kidnappers nine days after he was kidnapped.” The Rivers State Police Command had however said it was doing its best to rescue Kattey and arrest his abductors. The PPRO, Agabe, said the men were still working with the clue they got about the kidnappers and their hide- out. Agabe said, “As at yesterday (Friday), our men went in with the information they got. But as at today (Saturday), there has not been any contact between the family and the kidnappers. We are doing our best to rescue the Archbishop.”