Police Rescues Abducted Catholic Priest, Recovers Vehicle, Trails Assailants
By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
A joint security team comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defence, Anambra Vigilante Group Ichida, and Ihiala has secured the release of Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona at Ihiala.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, and made available to newsmen, he confirmed that the abducted priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona, has been returned unharmed.
He disclosed that the victim was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida during a gun duel between the joint security force and armed criminals operating in a white Lexus SUV without a plate number.
According to Ikenga, the assailants abandoned the white Lexus in an attempt to flee due to the superior firepower of the joint security team. They then took Rev. Fr. Echezona hostage.
He further stated that the joint security operatives successfully recovered the white Lexus vehicle.
"In a coordinated hot chase by the operatives, different security checkpoints and personnel in the state were alerted, which led to the criminals abandoning the priest at Ihiala and escaping through a nearby bush," Ikenga said.
The police spokesperson also noted that the joint security team has taken over the scene in Ihiala to facilitate the possible arrest of the armed criminals and the recovery of the Toyota Highlander belonging to Rev. Fr. Echezona.