A Bishop in Ogwasiuku-Uku axis of Delta State, Paul Okozi and two other persons have regained their freedom after payment of N1.5 million ransom to their abductors.
The three were reportedly abducted Tuesday, October 20 evening at the new construction site of the church (name withheld), located along Ubulu-Unor Road, Ogwashi-Uku.
A very reliable source close to the clergy’s family, told BusinessDay that the victims were released by their abductors Friday, October 23 evening after the ransom of N1.5 million had been paid.
The source said the abducted Bishop’s family raised part of the money while friends and associates, as well as the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Aniocha and even Asaba Province, contributed in paying the money that was demanded by the abductors.
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The source revealed that the persons abducted and released alongside Okozi, were one Pastor Frank and the contractor handling the church building project.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Onome, said that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogwashi-Uku said they only heard the abduction of the bishop as a rumour but that the report never came to them officially.
While confirming the release of the abducted bishop, Onome said that police would always play a role in one way or the other to ensure those abducted regained freedom.
She, however, said that some times the family of victims prefer not to get the police involved because of personal reasons. Some feel that if police are involved, the victim will be killed by the abductors, she said.
BusinessDay gathered from sources closed to the abducted bishop, that why the matter was not reported to police, was to avoid dribbling, “Yes, we did not report to police because we were capable of handling it with God. Secondly, when we had issues of tradition attacking the church and we reported to police, they were dribbling us until we took another step and had our victory.”
Meanwhile, Bishop Okozi while expressing gratitude to God and all who supported towards his freedom, revealed how they were abducted from Ogwashi-Uku in Delta, taken to Edo State and back to Delta after three days.
“We were kidnapped in Ogwashi-Uku Okiti that night where we spent the first night in the bush. From there, we were taken to Illah and from there to a river in Edo State where we slept at the river bank with our hands tied behind us.
From the riverbank in Edo State, they moved us to Issele-Uku in Delta State at that was the point that we were released”
I appreciate all who supported me and my pastors. We are back and healthy, he said.
