Delta priest regains freedom from kidnappers

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A kidnapped cleric in Afiesere Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area in Delta State, Reverend Murphy Akpovi, has been released from his captors after passing one week in captivity.

PUNCH Metro discovered that Akpovi had been kidnapped a few meters from his residence in the Afiesere community while returning from an evening church service.

Sources said that on the day the cleric was abducted, two other unidentified women were also abducted from different locations in the Iwhrekpokpor community.

It has been established that Akpovi's kidnappers then contacted the cleric's family and demanded a ransom of 30 million naira to secure his release.

“The kidnappers made contact, demanded 30 million naira and made it clear that they would not accept 10 million naira. On the same day, two women were kidnapped from the community of Iwhrekpokpor,” a source said.

Our correspondent, however, understood that the cleric had been released by his captors to join his family members and followers after spending five days in captivity.

It was not possible to confirm whether a ransom was paid to secure Akpovi's release.

Contacted, State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Bright Edafe could neither confirm nor deny the incident.

He said, “A lady who was kidnapped has been released. Not aware of the other incident."

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