The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu has called for life imprisonment for persons found culpable for kidnapping in the country.
Kanu made the call while addressing newsmen on the sidelines of the honorific awards of Knights to members of the church on Sunday in Abuja.
“For those who kidnap and those who perpetuate evil for me should be jailed for life because they are enemy of the society, I will not subscribe to death penalty,“he said.
He called for increased funding for the security agencies to effectively carry out their responsibilities, adding that the funds should be monitored to avoid diversion by some corrupt officials.
Kanu said that President Muhammadu Buhari has good intention for the country but some individuals within the government have decided to use the funds for other purposes.
He alleged that some disgruntled elements were also behind all the kidnappings being carried out across the country.
The clergy expressed concern over the level of prosecution and conviction persons arrested for kidnappings and other crimes by security agencies in the country.
He said that the lack of diligent prosecution had often than not left those arrested for the crime off the hook and working freely on the streets.
Kanu enjoined all Nigerians to join hands in the fight against insecurity as the security agencies cannot do it alone.
He advised Buhari to use the next four years to focus on massive food production and the economy that would enhance the living standard of Nigerians.
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He also advised the Federal Government to invest more on the youths to help curtail the insecurity in the country.
“If Nigeria want to save itself from security challenges, it must invest in the youths,“he said.
NAN reports that the award of Knight of John Wesley was given to 36 members of the church and Knight of Charles Wesley to three members of the church.
Other awards given were that of the Officers of the Order of Wesley to eight members and Members of the Order of Wesley to six members.
Kanu said that it was a motivation for the members to do more for the church and not a retirement incentive.
The clergy said that disobedience to the word of God had always resulted to disastrous consequences, urging members to invest more in the church.
Dr Ochapa Ogenyi and Mrs Yewande Usman who were beneficiaries, said that the award was a beginning of service to God and humanity.
“The award means more service to God and humility in service to God,“he said.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
