My heart is still bleeding for Anglican Archbishop Okpala, kidnapped in Anambra for over two weeks….Elder Chike Obidigbo

I have since been crying out against the spiraling acts of criminality in the Southeast, particularly in Anambra and Imo states. I have stated that governments at all levels should look beyond the activities of IPOB, ESN and so called unknown gun men to understand the extent of this kidnapping menace. If the government fails to act appropriately and timeously, this lingering menace will continue to hurt us,with no exception,until it consumes us.

The abduction of 75-year-old retired Anglican Archbishop, Rev Godwin Okpala is most painful and disgusting.
To the best of my knowledge, nothing positive and concrete has been said about this shameful incidence by both the government of the state,and the security agencies.
Even the body of Christ,as represented by the umbrella body CAN, his fellow Archbishops and other church leaders from all Christian denominations have been criminally silent over the pain of one of their own. The church by now,in addition to serious prayers, should have risen up,and with one voice demand for government’s intervention for the release of this vicar of God. Thereafter, the government must be made to show serious concern in confronting and combating the rising wave of kidnapping in the region, especially Anambra State.
A state that cannot guarantee reasonable security over lives and properties can neither attract nor sustain meaningful investments
Anambra state has of recent lost trillions of Naira to other parts of Nigeria, particularly Delta,Edo,Kogi,and Lagos states. as a result of forced migrations of businesses and youths out of Southeast. The business climate in Anambra has been the most unfriendly in recent times,and loss of businesses will always mean loss of opportunities, especially for the youths, and lead to increase in crime,leading again to further losses,and the cycle continues to spiral.
I regret that although some Southeast states succeeded in promulgating death sentences for kidnapping, nothing concrete has been done to protect hapless citizens.
The prolonged stay of Archbishop Okpala in the kidnappers’ den during this Christmas period represents the worst form of wickedness, and a very negative advertisement of Southeast,particularly Anambra, as a troubled region. By this, we are being sold to the world as a house of exile where there is neither security nor safety.
Many well meaning citizens and businesses are being forced to flee from the region. It is very disheartening that the Federal and State governments have not been able to find solution to this troubling menace.
Right now, I call on all the Southeast governors,particularly that of Anambra,with all political office holders,religeous leaders across all denominations,all traditional institutions,and all well meaning individuals to push petty differences, including politics aside and work together to demand for the immediate release of the aged Archbishop.
Again,our political leaders must come together, and work together to unearth the root causes of this new evil trade. How can kidnappers be having a field day, kidnapping hapless citizens and collecting huge ransom in this day and age of improved technology?
Time has come for both the federal and state governments to say that enough is enough and put a permanent end to stealing and converting human adults into cargo for the purpose of collecting ransom.
When you reflect deeply over the security situation in the South East, one must be tempted to believe that there is a grand design by some evil persons to turn Southeast into an uninhabitable desert for reasons we all know. But then,it is the primary duty of any responsible government anywhere to secure and protect lives of the people. Any other function is secondary. Human lives must come first.
Finally I plead with those who are holding the retired and aged Archbishop to use the remaining breath of humanity in them to release him. I also plead with both Anambra state government and our security agencies to do whatever that will possible to ensure the speedy release of the aged Archbishop.
Let everyone of us continue in prayers for God to touch every heart that can do something that ll lead to his immediate release. God ll hear our prayers.