Kidnapping: Okowa decries attacks on religious leaders

The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has decried the rising cases of kidnapping, killings and attacks on religious leaders and worship centres in the country.

Okowa made the remark on Monday at a security seminar tagged, ‘Securing worship centres and clergymen in contemporary Nigeria’, at the Grace Cathedral Church of God Mission, Asaba.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, stated that while security agents were working hard to apprehend the perpetrators of heinous crimes, it had become imperative to equip church leaders and families with basic knowledge on personal security and safety at places of worship.

He said, “In recent times, the nation has witnessed rising cases of pastors abducted and sometimes killed, or in some cases ransomed.

“Although no fatality has been recorded among abducted clergymen in Delta, yet this unholy trend calls for concern.

“Given the turbulence and uncertainties that have plagued this nation in our recent political history, there is no gainsaying the fact that it is the prayer of the righteous that have kept this country together.

“As you may be aware, we recently inaugurated ‘Operation Delta Hawk’, a joint task force with the mandate to take the fight to these criminals, be they bandits, kidnappers or gun-totting cattle herders.”

He said his administration was committed to the security of the State and the peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic nationalities.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Sylvanus Okorote, also said it was imperative that Christians should continue to pray for the peace, security and progress of the nation.

“It is not news anymore that there is terrorism and wholesome kidnapping in the country and it has even extended to our state, though not so severe.

“If you watch, all of us have heard severally, pastors being kidnapped and killed, before they start burning churches in Delta, we want to make sure that the clergy knows a little bit of what to do to prevent that,” he said.