It was celebration galore last night at the Alode Eleme home of the deputy leader of Nigeria’s Anglican Communion, Archbishop Ignatius C.O Kattey, after he suddenly walked into his compound. Alode Eleme is located in Eleme local Government Area, close to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Archbishop Kattey, who is also the Dean of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria, had been kidnapped eight days earlier by gunmen on his way to Port Harcourt, where his office is located. The popular cleric and his wife, Beatrice, were abducted about 11:30 p.m. on September 6 at around the Aleto bridge, Eleme. Their abductors dropped off his wife but took him away, sparking outcry across Nigeria.

The Radio Nigeria Network news monitored this morning in Lagos said that the mood last night in Alode Eleme was jubilant as Archbishop Kattey narrated his ordeal and discussed the word of God with people who trooped into his country home to welcome him back home. It is not yet known if any ransom was paid to secure his release as the Anglican Church had earlier ruled out the possibility of doing so.

•Photo shows Archbishop Kattey and wife, Beatrice.