CAN demands unconditional release of Kattey

 

…Felicitates with retiring, new Methodist prelates
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for the unconditional release of the Anglican Archbishop of Niger Delta Province, Rev Ignatius Kattey, who was kidnapped recently. Making the demand yesterday, CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, also called for more severe punishment for kidnappers.
The press statement, which was signed by Mr. Kenny Ashaka, Special Adviser on media to the CAN president, urged the kidnappers of the archbishop not to harm him.

He observed that kidnapping had heightened the insecurity in the country, while stating that the crime should be treated as armed robbery and terrorism.
The statement by CAN read: “The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, received with a feeling of dismay, the news of the kidnapping of the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province of the Anglican Communion of Nigeria, His Grace, Most Reverend Ignatius Kattey and his wife, Beatrice, who has been released. He appeals to the kidnappers of the archbishop to release him unconditionally and unharmed, as a means of atoning for the sacrilege they have committed.

“Pastor Oritsejafor observes that the action or crime of forcibly taking away or holding somebody prisoner, usually for ransom has become a showy display, a kind of publicity stunt in ways that explain the serious insecurity in Nigeria. While the activities of the kidnappers are awash with prominent Nigerians abducted, the manner of abduction, the location those taken were freed from and sometimes the cost of freedom, government seems incapable of dealing with the situation.

“Given the ferocious and violent manner these kidnappings are carried out, the CAN president is worried that if the crime of kidnapping is not matched with equally harsh or severe punishments, Nigeria may be in for an even worse situation than she is with the terrorist activities.

“In circumstances, where kidnappers shoot and kill people before abducting the victims, Pastor Oritsejafor calls on the Federal Government to treat kidnappers like armed robbers and terrorists by invoking laws that would stop crime and criminality.”
Meanwhile, CAN has extended a hand of welcome to the new Prelate of Methodist Church, while wishing the out-going one farewell.