Kidnapped Nigerian archbishop freed

16 September 2013 - 10:33 By Sapa-AP
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
The Catheral Church of Christ in Lagos. File photo.
The Catheral Church of Christ in Lagos. File photo.
Image: PIUS OTOMI EKPEI / AFP

A Nigerian police spokeswoman says the No. 2 cleric in the country's Anglican church has been released more than a week after being kidnapped in the Niger Delta.

Angela Agabe said Sunday that Archbishop Ignatius Kattey was released Saturday in Eleme in Nigeria's Rivers state. She said a police rescue mission helped with the release. She said no ransom was paid.

The Church of Nigeria said the archbishop and his wife, Beatrice Kattey, were kidnapped near their home in the country's southern city of Port Harcourt on Sept. 6. Police said Kattey's wife was released hours after being captured.

Kidnappings for ransom are relatively common in oil-rich Nigeria, though kidnappings of religious leaders are not. Most of those kidnapped are released unharmed after ransoms have been paid.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now