Methodist Church paid $250,000 as ransom to kidnappers for release of its highest ranking clergy

His Eminence, Samuel Kanu-Uche

The Methodist Church in Nigeria has confirmed that it paid the sum of $250,000 approximately N100,000,000 in Nigeria currency to kidnappers for the release of its Prelate, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu-Uche, who was abducted on Sunday.

While speaking to the media during a press conference, Kanu-Uche said he and two other priests kidnapped with him were beaten and his abductors threatened to kill him if the ransom wasn't paid.

The Prelate was kidnapped alongside his chaplain, Very Rev. Abidemi Shittu, and the Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark.

At a press conference in Lagos, the cleric mentioned the monies were arranged in five sacks of N20 million ($50,000) and were raised by the Methodist Church in Nigeria.