CAN demands unconditional release of Kattey

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for the
unconditional release of the Anglican Archbishop of Niger Delta
Province, Rev Ignatius Kattey, who was kidnapped recently. Making the
demand yesterday, CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, also called
for more severe punishment for kidnappers.
The press statement, which was signed by Mr. Kenny Ashaka, Special
Adviser on media to the CAN president, urged the kidnappers of the
archbishop not to harm him.
He observed that kidnapping had heightened the insecurity in the
country, while stating that the crime should be treated as armed
robbery and terrorism.
The statement by CAN read: "The President of the Christian Association
of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, received with a feeling of
dismay, the news of the kidnapping of the Archbishop of the Niger
Delta Province of the Anglican Communion of Nigeria, His Grace, Most
Reverend Ignatius Kattey and his wife, Beatrice, who has been
released. He appeals to the kidnappers of the archbishop to release
him unconditionally and unharmed, as a means of atoning for the
sacrilege they have committed.
"Pastor Oritsejafor observes that the action or crime of forcibly
taking away or holding somebody prisoner, usually for ransom has
become a showy display, a kind of publicity stunt in ways that explain
the serious insecurity in Nigeria. While the activities of the
kidnappers are awash with prominent Nigerians abducted, the manner of
abduction, the location those taken were freed from and sometimes the
cost of freedom, government seems incapable of dealing with the
situation.
"Given the ferocious and violent manner these kidnappings are carried
out, the CAN president is worried that if the crime of kidnapping is
not matched with equally harsh or severe punishments, Nigeria may be
in for an even worse situation than she is with the terrorist
activities.
"In circumstances, where kidnappers shoot and kill people before
abducting the victims, Pastor Oritsejafor calls on the Federal
Government to treat kidnappers like armed robbers and terrorists by
invoking laws that would stop crime and criminality."
Meanwhile, CAN has extended a hand of welcome to the new Prelate of
Methodist Church, while wishing the out-going one farewell.