Why We Didn’t Collect Ransom To Free Imo Catholic Bishop, By Suspect

One of the suspects arrested in connection with the alleged kidnap of the Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Moses Chikwe, has given reason for releasing the cleric without collecting ransom.

Bishop Chikwe was on December 27 kidnapped along side his driver at World Bank Area of Owerri, the state capital and was released after four days in captivity.

The suspects – Peter Aluo 28, Ihedum Ulunwa 33 and Osinachi Ngozi 26 – all from Ohaji Egbema council area of the state, were paraded by the Imo State police command for allegedly kidnapping the bishop and his drive.

Speaking with our correspondent, one of the suspects, Osinachi Ngozi, who said he regretted his involvement with the kidnap of the Bishop, said that the gang drove the bishop to the World Bank Area of Owerri and dropped him there without collecting ransom.

Osinachi said, “When I realized that the man is a bishop, I advised my gang members to release him. But, our leader insisted that he would be kidnapped.

So, we put him to our vehicle and drove him to our hideout. There, the bishop prayed for us and blessed us.

“Our leader called the family of the bishop and demanded N10 million. So, when no one was coming with the money, I pleaded with my gang members to release the bishop.

“He was eventually released after four days without paying for ransom. We dropped him around World Bank and before we left, the bishop also prayed for us.”