Police lied about my release – Kattey

SEPTEMBER 19, 2013

THE Archbishop of Niger Delta Province of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria, Archbishop Ignatius Kattey

THE Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey, on Wednesday said the police lied over claims that they (police) were responsible for his release from the hands of kidnappers.

Kattey was abducted on September 6, 2013 and taken to an unknown destination before he regained his freedom.

But Kattey, who spoke with newsmen at his country home in Alode, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, insisted that contrary to reports that the police rescued him, he (Kattey) only saw the police two days ago (Monday) since his abduction.

He, however,  commended the police for their efforts after his kidnap, while  maintaining that his release from captivity was through divine intervention.

“The Police did not rescue me. They were not the ones who rescued my wife, Beatrice. I saw the police for the first time two days ago since the incident.

“I have heard the statements made by the Rivers Police Public Relations Officer. The police are telling lies. If you cannot trust the police again, then who can you trust? I told the Commissioner of Police and he has apologised.

“I know they made efforts. but they did not rescue me and my wife. A helicopter flew over the area more than 500 times, but the boys (kidnappers) were smarter. They held me in a thick forest and no one could see me there.

“On the day of my release, they moved me and we trekked a number of kilometres till we got to a road. Then they gave me N200 and ordered me to walk to the direction where I could get a motorcycle.

“We thank God for His mercies because I wouldn’t even wish my enemy to go through that experience,” the archbishop, who is also the Dean of Anglican Communion in Nigeria, added.

Explaining that he was not tortured by his captors, Kattey pointed out that he was not aware if any ransom was paid for his release.

“I was not tortured. They fed me on fast food once a day, sometimes on boli (roast plantain). They tied and chained my legs, but one of them said ‘you can’t chain this man.”