The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka has debunked reports that an Archbishop, his wife and others were kidnapped in Abia State.
Chinaka stated that Archbishop of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Bishop Uka Uka Osim, his wife and others were kidnapped in Anambra State, not in Abia State.
The Police spokesperson said the statement was necessary to set the records straight. Chinaka stated that one of the Bishops of the Church in Aba, Abia State confirmed the abduction.
However, she could not disclose the exact town or village in Anambra State where the priests were kidnapped.
Chinaka said, “Based on our findings, the alleged kidnap of the Archbishop of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star occurred in Anambra State.
“This was confirmed by one of the bishops of the Church in Aba.”
“Archbishop Uka Uka Osim, his wife, Ann and son, Roland Uka Osim and three other priests were kidnapped by bandits.
According to report, they were reportedly travelling from Abia State to Awka, Anambra State for a church program. They were, however, abducted by unknown gunmen.
Reacting to the news, which went viral over the weekend, the Abia Police spokesperson confirmed the incident. She said the incident happened outside Abia State.
In a related development, the PPRO said investigation was ongoing in the case of one Chibuzor Moses who was abducted by hoodlums at Umuojima, Osisioma Ngwa LGA of Abia State, recently.
Moses, a businessman, was kidnapped by hoodlums who chased him into a church premises at Umuojima. He was caught and bundled him away to an unknown place by his captors.
Reacting to news, the PPRO said, “We have such reports at Osisioma Police Division and investigations are currently ongoing.”