The retired Archbishop of the Anglican Communion in Anambra State, Most Rev. Godwin Okpala, has described his 27-day captivity in a kidnappers? den as a harrowing experience, likening it to ?seeing hell.?

The cleric was abducted alongside his driver on December 6, 2024, and regained freedom on January 3, 2025.

Speaking at his residence in Nnewi on Thursday during a visit by former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, Okpala recounted his ordeal.

According to him, the kidnappers fed him with leftover food and denied him basic hygiene.

?Throughout my stay, I never took a bath, brushed my teeth, or wore anything other than my pants,? he revealed.

The Archbishop thanked God for his release, expressing gratitude to all who supported his rescue efforts.

According to him, ?Those 27 days were hellish because the people were not behaving like human beings. They kicked us about like thrash.

?They kept us in a very thick forest and none of them cared.

?I was in my cassock and they knew that I was a Bishop, but they didn?t care. They pulled down my cassock, asked me to undress and I had only shorts, a shirt and my collar on.

?For the 27 days that I was with them, I didn?t take my bath, I didn?t brush my teeth. They were giving me water which I don?t know the source.

?They were giving me one meal a day and it was either rice or garri. The food was usually remnants from those they gave to boys who worked with them. They have cooks who prepared food there.? Okpala said

However, he commended Obi for visiting him, adding that he was the only person that had visited him

? Since my return from the kidnappers? den, no one has visited me until now? the 75 year old Prelate recounted

?Obi has again shown the humanity in him. I?m not the first person he is coming to see in this manner. I want to say thank you to Peter Obi who came to visit me after my travails,? he said.

Meanwhile, Nnewi Catholic Diocese on Thursday buried three priests of the diocese, including Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, a pharmacist and native of Ekwulumili in Nnewi South Local Government Area.

The priest was murdered on Boxing Day in Ihiala by gunmen operating in the area.

Until his death, the priest was the manager of the respective Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala. (Courtesy, excluding headline, The Nation)

Update news