POLICE RESCUE KIDNAPPED ANAMBRA PRIEST, RECOVER SUSPECTS’ VEHICLE
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The Anambra State Police Command has successfully rescued Reverend Father Stephen Echezona, who was kidnapped by gunmen at a petrol station in Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area.
The attackers, who arrived in a white Lexus SUV without a license plate, fled in the priest’s vehicle after abandoning their own during a gunfight with security operatives responding to the incident.
In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, announced that a joint security team, including the police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilante groups from Ichida and Ihiala, successfully rescued the victim in the early hours of March 23, 2025.
“In the early hours of today, March 23, 2025, a Joint Security team comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defence, AVG Ichida, and Ihiala respectively secured the release of Rev. Father Stephen Echezona at Ihiala. The priest was returned unharmed,” Ikenga said.
He added that the kidnappers abandoned their Lexus SUV in an attempt to escape after a gun battle with security forces.
“The victim was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida where a joint security force engaged the armed criminals in a gun duel.
“The assailants abandoned the white Lexus and, in a bid to flee the scene due to the superior firepower of the Joint Security Team, held the Rev. Father hostage.
“The operatives also recovered the white Lexus vehicle,” he further stated.
Ikenga explained that a coordinated chase led to multiple security checkpoints being alerted, forcing the kidnappers to abandon the priest in Ihiala and escape through a nearby bush.
“In a coordinated hot chase by the operatives, different security checkpoints and security operatives in the state were alerted, which resulted in the criminals abandoning the Priest at Ihiala and escaping through a nearby bush.
“The joint security team has taken over the scene in Ihiala for possible arrest of the armed criminals and recovery of the Toyota Highlander belonging to the Rev. Father.
“Further developments would be communicated, please,” Ikenga added.
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