The Methodist Prelate, His Eminence, Rt. Rev. Oliver Aba, has called for unconditional release of its members abducted along Arondizuogu/Okigwe Road in Imo on April 28.

The prelate made the call in Enugu on Tuesday at a reception organized in his honour by the Enugu Archdiocese of the church.

Aba expressed dismay at the increased insecurity in the South East which he said called for urgent attention.

The cleric said that six members of the church were abducted after attending the inauguration of the new bishop of Awka Diocese, Anambra, Most Rev. Onyedikachi Nwakanma.

He disclosed that the kidnappers demanded huge amount of money as ransom for their release but prayed for God’s intervention and unconditional release.

He urged governors of the five states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo as well as security agencies to redouble efforts in tackling high rate of insecurity in the zone.

According to him, lives no longer have value in this country as people are maimed and killed like fowls saying that “enough is enough”.

In a sermon, the Methodist Bishop of Onitsha, Rt. Rev. Chukwudi Chiemeka stressed the need for unity in the country adding that the greatest challenge in Nigeria was lack of unity.

According to him, unity simply means oneness, doing things together to achieve a common purpose.

“There is strength in unity. It will be difficult to achieve equity, fairness and justice without unity. So I encourage everyone especially the church faithful to pray and strive for enthronement of unity for peace and progress of the country,” he said.

Earlier, the Archbishop of Enugu Diocese, Rt. Rev. Christopher Edeh thanked the prelate for the inauguration of six new dioceses in the South East including Nnewi and Awka in Anambra.

Others are Akegbe-Ugwu/Awgu/Aninri Diocese, Awkunanaw Diocese, Enugu North East diocese, and Nsukka diocese, all in Enugu State.

Edeh urged ministers of God to shun bitterness and embrace love and unity for the growth of the church and the country at large.

Highlights of the event include presentations of gifts to the prelate and choral displays by the youth of the Central Methodist Church. (NAN)

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