Retired Archbishop of Nnewi Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Most Fire up Godwin Okpala, who just recaptured his opportunity after he was seized on December 6, 2024, has described his trial in the possession of his abductors.
Okpala was snatched close by his driver, however was simply ready to recapture opportunity on January third, subsequent to burning through 27 days in imprisonment.
The pastor addressed columnists at his home in Nnewi, during a visit by previous legislative leader of Anambra State and official competitor of Work Party, Mr Peter Obi.
He said: “Those 27 days were hellish because the people were not behaving like human beings. They kicked us about like thrash.
“They kept us in a very thick forest and none of them cared,” the Archbishop said.
Responding to inquiries on whether his snatching was because of mixed up character, and whether he was in his consecrated clothing, the resigned prelate said it didn't make any difference to the criminals what anyone's identity was.
He said: “I was in my cassock and they knew that I was a Bishop, but they didn’t care. They pulled down my cassock, asked me to undress and I had only shorts, a shirt and my collar on.
“For the 27 days that I was with them, I didn’t take my bath, I didn’t brush my teeth. They were giving me water which I don’t know the source.
“They were giving me one meal a day and it was either rice or garri. The food was usually remnants from those they gave to boys who worked with them. They have cooks who prepared food there.”
The 75 years old Archbishop adulated Peter Obi for staying with him, expressing that since his return from the hijackers' cave, nobody had visited him until Obi came.
“He (Peter Obi) has again shown the humanity in him. I’m not the first person he is coming to see in this manner. I want to say thank you to Peter Obi who came to visit me after my travails.”
Meanwhile, Nnewi Catholic Diocese on Thursday buried three priests of the diocese, including Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, a pharmacist and native of Ekwulumili in Nnewi South Local Government Area.
The priest was killed on December 26, 2024, in Ihiala, Anambra State, by shooters working nearby.
Until his passing, the priest was the maanager of the Schools of Nursing, Birthing assistance, and Clinical Lab at Our Woman of Lourdes Medical clinic Ihiala.
Anambra has for at some point presently been in the news on account of the spate of seizing, which has not lessened regardless of commitments by the lead representative, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and police experts in the state.
Comments