Methodist Prelate Oliver Aba has called for the unconditional release of his church members.

The members were kidnapped along Arondizuogu-Okigwe Road in Imo on Friday.

The prelate made the call in Enugu on Tuesday at a reception organized in his honour by the Enugu Archdiocese of the church.

Mr Aba expressed dismay at the increased insecurity in the South-East, which he said called for urgent attention.

The cleric said six church members were kidnapped after attending the inauguration of the new bishop of Awka Diocese, Anambra, Onyedikachi Nwakanma.

The Methodist leader disclosed that the kidnappers demanded a huge ransom for their release but prayed for God’s intervention and unconditional release.

Mr Aba urged governors of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, and security agencies to redouble efforts in tackling the high rate of insecurity in the zone.

According to him, lives no longer have value in this country as people are maimed and killed like fowls saying that “enough is enough.”

In a sermon, the Methodist Bishop of Onitsha, Chukwudi Chiemeka, stated, “There is strength in unity. It will be difficult to achieve equity, fairness and justice without unity. So I encourage everyone, especially the church faithful, to pray and strive for the enthronement of unity for peace and progress of the country.”

(NAN)