ARCHBISHOP of Niger Delta Province of Nigerian Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey, yesterday, accused the Nigeria Police of lying over their claim that they secured his release from the kidnappers who abducted him penultimate Friday.
Briefing newsmen in Eleme, Rivers State, to share his nine days experience in the den of the kidnappers four days after regaining freedom, Most Rev. Kattey thanked the Police for their efforts, but said that they were not the ones who rescued him.
He said: “The Police did not rescue me, neither were they the ones who rescued my wife, Beatrice. I saw the Police for the first time two days ago, after the incident. I heard the statements made by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO. The police are telling lies. If you cannot trust the Police, then who can you trust? I told the Commissioner of Police and he has apologised.
“I know that they made efforts but they did not rescue us. A helicopter flew over the area more than 500 times, but the boys (kidnappers) were smarter. They held me in a thick forest and no one could see me there.
“On the day of my release (September 14), the kidnappers moved me and we trekked a number of kilometres till we got to a road. Then they gave me N200 and ordered me to walk towards a direction where I would get a bike. We thank God for His mercies because I wouldn’t even wish my enemy to go through that experience.”
Kattey, who is Dean of the Nigerian Anglican Communion, also said that he was not aware if any ransom was collected over his release, explaining that he was not tortured by his abductors, whom he said he had forgiven.
“I was not tortured. They fed me on fast food once a day, sometimes on bole (roast plantain). They tied and chained my legs, but one of them said ‘you can’t chain this man’. I slept on the ground, beaten by rain and bitten by mosquitoes like them for up to seven days. As an old man of 65 years, I had no choice than to stay and swim in the forest with them.”
The Archbishop, while expressing his gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the Police as well as Christians and Muslims for their concern and prayers, however, appealed to the federal and state governments to review the security situation in the country and be sensitive to the plight of the governed.
He said: “From my experience, the abductors are hungry and in dire need of means of livelihood. Some are adequately educated but lack the enabling environment to positively express themselves. If government will give the people potable water, light and good roads, they will change.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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There is certain a room for more infrastructural development, but light, portable water and good road on their do not guarantee anything sir. Many communities in the Niger Delta already have those. There are communities in Rivers State where they haven't witness a single day electricity blackout for many years running. What these people need is mass orientation on how to convert these amenities to jobs, an entrepreneurial spirit, They need skill.
ReplyDeleteInfact,It is all about greed. Most people now take to the crime as a lucrative business.Some may be in dire need but not all those in dire need go for kidnapping. Most kidnappers are rich and only use poor people.It is largely due to break down in value system. Every one want to make money at all cost no matter how.What about does involved in killing for rituals? are they also in dire need? They were fewer Churches and Mosques before now but fewer crimes.But today almost all family have churches ,mosques,Pastors and Imams but look and tell for yourself. The value system has collapsed and urgent and drastic action is needed to put things right again.May God Help Nigeria!
ReplyDeleteSorry BISHOP. As for the POLICE, U should know that since they "tried" to rescue you, it is the same as they being responsible for your release. The police always want to play the "HERO" role in our society, but we all know them to be the opposite. Thank God for your safe release.
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