Mr Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has decried the sudden disappearance of the emeritus Archbishop of the Niger Province, Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala, amid the exacerbating insecurity across the country.
While condemning the deplorable level of insecurity in every part of the nation, the former governor of Anambra State, said it has forced Nigerians to live in fear and uncertainty, not knowing when the terror will strike.
According to reports Okpala, who hails from Adazi Ani, Anaocha LGA, together with his driver, got missing since Friday morning.
They were said to have gone missing when they were going to the burial of another Bishop’s relation in Umuchu Aguata Local Government Area of the state, but could not arrive at their destination.
Despite efforts by the church to establish contact with them, no communication had been received and the whereabouts of Archbishop and his driver, including his vehicle have remained unknown.
The Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi, on Saturday, issued a prayer report calling for intercessory prayers for the Archbishop’s safe return.
The report read “Good evening Fathers In God. With a heavy heart, we wish to inform us that our dear Father, Most Rev Prof. Godwin Okpala (Rtd Archbishop of the Niger province and Bishop of Nnewi) has been missing since yesterday (Friday) morning.
“He travelled with his driver to Umuchu but never got to his destination and he is yet to return, neither have we heard from them. He together with his driver and his car are nowhere to be found.
“We earnestly plead for your fervent prayers for their safety and swift return. The relevant authorities have been contacted and we are hopeful and trusting in God’s divine intervention for a positive resolution.”
Reacting to the development, in statement on Monday, Obi called on the security agencies to take urgent actions to unravel the Archbishop’s disappearance and ensure their safe return.
Describing as worrisome how many Nigerians who are victims of insecurity go unreported, Obi called on government, at all levels, to ensure the protection of lives and property of the people so that Nigerians should constantly live in fears.
He wrote: “I have just read the ugly news of the sudden disappearance of the emeritus Archbishop of the Niger Province, Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala, yesterday. The report said the reversed cleric was on his way to a public function in Anambra State, alongside his driver.
“This deplorable level of insecurity in every part of the nation remains condemned. In almost every part of the nation, our people live in fear and uncertainty, not knowing when the terror will strike.
“It is even more worrisome how many of our people who are victims of insecurity go unreported. Every Nigerian citizen should be able to move freely for their productive endeavours in any part of the nation without fear of terror or harm. The government, at all levels, must ensure this by ensuring the protection of lives and property of the people.
“I remain in earnest prayers with the Okpala family and the entire Anglican Communion for the safe return of the Archbishop and that his driver while calling on the security agencies to take urgent actions to unravel the Archbishop’s disappearance and ensure their safe return.”
