JTF rescues abducted Catholic priest in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona, who was abducted at Ichida in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, by the Joint Security Task Force.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the rescue in a statement he issued on Sunday in Awka.

According to Ikenga, the JTF, comprising the police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Anambra vigilance group operatives in Ichida and Ihiala, successfully secured the release of the priest at Ihiala.

“In the early hours of today, March 23, a joint security team comprising the police, military, civil defence, and vigilante operatives rescued Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona at Ihiala,” he stated.

He further explained that the priest was rescued unharmed.

Ikenga said Echezona was abducted at a petrol station in Ichida by the criminals operating in a white Lexus SUV without a number plate.

He added that the operatives engaged the assailants in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the SUV in an attempt to escape.

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Ikenga stated that they, however, took the priest hostage as they fled the scene.

He said a coordinated pursuit by security operatives across various checkpoints led to the criminals abandoning Echezona at Ihiala before escaping through a nearby bush.

He maintained that the JTF recovered the abandoned SUV while efforts were ongoing to track down the hoodlums and recover the priest’s Toyota Highlander.

Also, police operatives attached to the Obosi Division caught and detained a man with a Beretta pistol on Sunday.

On the same day, security operatives rescued three kidnapped victims on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Ozubulu.

Meanwhile, the command has assured residents of its commitment to ensuring their safety and apprehending those responsible for criminal activities in the state.