Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has disclosed that the Archbishop of Province of Niger Delta, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey, was released unconditionally by his abductors.

Kattey and his wife, Beatrice, were abducted on September 6 at Eleme Junction on the East – West Road, while on their way to Port Harcourt from an official assignment.

While Beatrice was later freed, the gunmen took the archbishop away.

The Archdeacon of Eleme Archdeaconry, Venerable Israel Omosioni, told journalists that Kattey was looking healthy and agile, despite his ordeals.

Omosioni said the kidnappers gave Kattey N200 as transport fare, which he used to take a motorcycle back home.

He said: “Kattey was released unconditionally and he is in good health. He is hale and hearty.’’

Also the church said contrary to the claims of the Rivers State Police Command, policemen were not involved in Kattey’s rescue.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Angela Agabe, had said in Port Harcourt that Kattey was rescued by the police at 8p.m. on Saturday.

But the church said the kidnappers on their own released the cleric, without involving any other party.

The church said Kattey was brought out to the expressway via the same footpath, which the kidnappers used in abducting him, and took him to a petrol station across the road.

Also, a knight of the church, Sir Okafor Efiebor, told our correspondent that the police were not involved in Kattey’s release.

Efiebor said the kidnappers responded to the pleas of the church and its members by releasing the cleric unconditionally.

He said: “It (his release) happened on Saturday night, around 8pm. The kidnappers brought him out to the East – West Road, through the same foot path, which they used in abducting him.

“They took him to the Total Filling Station beside the spot and left after, giving him a token. This is after they have apologised to him for the inconvenience caused him.’’

On Sunday last week, the church, led by its clergymen, demanded the bishop’s unconditional release and told the world that it would not pay any ransom for his release.

On the following day, the church members, led by their leaders, staged a peaceful protest on the spot where Kattey was abducted; demanding his immediate release.

Yesterday, Agabe confirmed that Kattey had been rescued.

She said: “The command is not aware that any ransom was paid and the bishop is in stable condition.”

The police imagemaker, however, said no arrest had been made in connection with Kattey’s abduction.