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ARCHBISHOP’S WHEREABOUTS STILL UNKNOWN 19 DAYS AFTER ABDUCTION
The whereabouts of retired Archbishop Godwin Okpala, of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi reported missing since 5 December 2024 still remain unknown.
He and his driver have spent 19 days in captivity.
Most Rev Okpala, a professor, was reported missing since Friday morning, having left Nnewi on Thursday 5 December 2024 evening.
The incumbent Bishop of the Diocese, Ndubuisi Obi, announced their disappearance in a prayer request posted on the Diocese Facebook page on Saturday.7 December 2024.
Bishop Obi said the missing Archbishop embarked on a journey to Umuchu alongside his driver, but they were yet to reach their destination more than 24 hours after.
“Since then, there has been no communication, and neither he, his driver, nor the vehicle have been located,
“We earnestly plead for your fervent prayers for their safety and swift return,” the bishop appealed.
To highlight the helplessness of the parishioners, one Mr Fidelix in his X handle asks:
“DO WE REALLY HAVE SECURITY AGENCIES IN ANAMBRA STATE???
Democracy is defined as government of the people, by the People,and for the People. If this definition is true about Democracy, do we have democratic government and governance in Nigeria generally, and Anambra State in particular? Today;23rd December 2024 makes it nineteen (19) solid days that an Anglican Archbishop was abducted in Anambra State, and no concrete and meaningful visible actions have been taken by the Government about the rescue of the Retired Church Prelate. It took Security Agency in Pennsylvania,USA about one week to hunt and arrest the killer of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare recently. How long will it take the Security Agencies and Government of Anambra State to declare Security Emergency on the rescue of Archbishop Godwin I N Okpala. Being on top of the situation as being claimed by the powers that be should by now have produced topnotch practical and convincing results. Is the Archbishop held in the moon, Mars or Jupiter that is beyond the reach of Security Agencies in Anambra State? The Church has been doing her bit of praying fervently and intentionally since this embarrassing incident occurred. The Government of Anambra State is supposed to be for all citizens and indigenes of the State. If the kidnap of such high profile Church Father and Elder stateman is treated with such levity and casualness in our state, the Truth is that there is no Security for the common man in Anambra State. I sincerely urge the Government to do everything within her Powers to safely rescue the Archbishop from his abductors, and to ensure that he doesn’t spend this Christmas in kidnappers den.
