Reporters has learnt that Anglican bishop Ignatius Kattey, who was kidnapped nine days ago by an armed gang in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, has been released by his abductors.

Kattey is the second highest-ranking Anglican prelate in Nigeria.

SaharaReporters spoke to Archbishop Kattey’s daughter, Margaret, who confirmed her father’s release. She disclosed that the bishop returned home last night around 8:00 p.m. He was “hale and hearty,” according to his daughter.

Another family source declined to say if any ransom was paid to secure the bishop’s release. However, a police source in Rivers State told SaharaReporters that several millions of naira was shelled out to the 

kidnappers from contributions made by several state governments as well as the office of the Nigerian president.

“No way they [kidnappers] would have released him if not for the money,” the police officer said.