The police commands in Abia and Anambra states have disagreed over an alleged kidnap of the Archbishop of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Bishop Uka Uka Osim, his wife, son and three other priests in his convoy.
The cleric was said to be in the convoy with his wife, son and three others when they were kidnapped while travelling from Abia to Awka, Anambra State capital for a function.
It was gathered that the incident happened on May 1.
The Anambra State police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, had in a statement on Saturday, said inquiries made by the command suggested that there was no record of such incident before the command.
Ikenga said, “Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that from inquiries made on the above news from our respective Area Commands, Police Divisional Headquarters, and otherwise, there is no such record of any incident as mentioned in the state.
“The Command has been relatively calm as police and other security agencies are strategically positioned in many areas of the state, while some operatives are on crime prevention patrol aimed to address any untoward situations.
“Given the above, the Command calls on members of the public to assist us with information regarding the above-mentioned incident if such happened, this will enable us to embark on the investigation, please.”
But the Abia State Police Command, on Sunday, declared that the abduction of the Archbishop and those in his entourage occurred in Anambra State, and not in Abia as earlier reported by some sections of the media.
The spokesman of the command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, who spoke in reaction to the incident, revealed that one of the bishops of the church in Aba confirmed the abduction.
Chinaka, however, clarified that the precise location or area in Anambra where the priests were kidnapped was not revealed.
The Abia PPRO 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.”
Credit: Punch