Anglican Bishop, Nwokolo decries spate of insecurity, kidnap of Okpaleke in Anambra

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

The unabated spate of insecurity in Anambra State that has allegedly resulted in the kidnap of former Archbishop of Province of the Niger, and also former Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Godwin Okpaleke, is now a source of worry to the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Owen Nwokolo.

Nwokolo expressed deep concern on the apparent deteriorating security in the state, adding that insecurity was itself worsening the excruciating economic conditions of Ndi Anambra.

He was lending a concern in an interview over the issue of the former Archbishop of Province of Niger and former Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Godwin Okpala who was reportedly kidnapped in the early hours of Friday, December 6, 2924.

Expressing shock and disgust over the incident, Bishop Nwokolo remarked that apart from the archbishop’s case, there could be other kidnap victims across the state, adding that insecurity was nothing to be glad about.

Alarmed by the rate of insecurity prevalent in the state, the prelate called on the Federal and Anambra State Governments to quickly set up adequate security measures in the state.

Understanding the place of sound security in a state, he said that in any society “where there is no security, there is always lack of advancement in any sector, for people will continue to live in fear and not be moving about freely”.

Although the bishop remarked that there was a grapevine that the state government was currently taking up some measures to improve security in the state, he said such measures ought to have been objectively felt by the people.

He therefore appealed not only to the state government but also to the federal government to “please quicken any steps mooted to maintain adequate security in the state” he state.