……..Yet To Be Released Two Months After Alleged Payment Of #23m Ransom
The people of Amaokwe in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State are currently in deep pain and confusion following the abduction of the octogenarian General Overseer of Divine Sabbath Mission Amaokwe, Priest John Ihenile, a renowned clergyman and community leader whose church has branches in different parts of the state, including Orogwe in Owerri West Local Government Area.
It was gathered from community sources that the gunmen stormed his palatial compound where his synagogue, the residential quarters of divine workers and those who came for healing are situated at about 1 am about two months ago and whisked him away.
According to a source who pleaded anonymity, “his family was communicating with him initially through phone calls with his abductors. But immediately after the ransom of #23million was paid, they cut off communication. The number with which they used to call his family before ransom was paid, has been permanently switched off since then”.
Most residents of the area who commented on the development berated the state government for its inability to address the hydra- headed security challenges in the state that has assumed a frightening dimension.
“The worst part of it is that, we have stopped going to buy and sell in our markets and also stopped going to our farm lands, yet we are not safe in our homes, neither can we sleep with our two eyes closed. Our youths have gone into exile to avoid being killed in cold blood.”
