ARCHBISHOP of the Niger Delta Province of the Nigerian Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Ignatius C.O. Kattey has said the Nigerian Police lied over claims that they secured his release from the kidnappers who abducted him penultimate Friday.
At a briefing 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 stressed that they were not the ones who rescued him.
“The Police did not rescue me. They were not the ones who rescued my wife, Beatrice. I saw the Police for the time two days ago since the incident. I have heard the statements made by the Rivers PPRO. The police are telling lies. If you cannot trust the police again, then who can you trust? I told the Commissioner of Police and he has apologized.
“I know they made efforts but they did not rescue me and my wife. A helicopter flew over the area more than five hundred times, but the boys (kidnappers) were smarter. They held me with them in a thick forest and no one could see me there.
“On the day of my release (Saturday 14th), they moved me and we trekked a number of kilometers till we got to a road. Then they gave me N200 and ordered me to work to the direction where I could 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 he is not aware if any ransom was collected over his release while also explaining that he was not tortured by the abductors whom he says he has 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 lay down on the ground, beaten by rain and mosquito like them for up to seven days. 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 Jonathan, Governor Amaechi, the Police as well as Christian and Muslims for their concern and prayers however appealed to Federal and State Governments to review the security situation in the country and be sensitive to plight of the governed.
He added that, “Our experience has shown that the abductors are hungry and in dire need of means of livelihood. Some are adequately educated but lack enabling environment to positively express themselves. If government would give the people ordinary water, light and good roads, they people would change.”
