Kidnapped American woman missionary rescued

The kidnapped American woman Missionary, Rev. Phyllis Sortor, has been rescued by a combined team of police, the military and operatives of the Department of State Services.
Sortor, 87, was rescued at about 8:30pm on Friday at a spot between Ero and Emi Woro communities in Kogi State and was immediately taken to the state police headquarters in Lokoja.
A source within the police said the American cleric was sighted by a lady who immediately raised an alarm, which attracted other people around.
Police later came to escort the woman.
All efforts to speak TO or take the photograph of the woman by journalists were frustrated by American embassy officials who insisted on going with her to Abuja.
However, Sortor, appeared to be hale, hearty and in good condition.
She was kidnapped by unknown masked gunmen on February 23 from her school premises at Emi Woro community in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Speaking with newsmen, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, said the siege laid on Emi Woro and other adjoining areas by a combined team of policemen, soldiers and operatives of the DSS put pressure on her abductors, which led to her release.
The commissioner said no ransom was paid to secure the release of the woman, promising to speak more on the incident later.
In another development, a 75-year old woman, Virginia Arinze, mother of former Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Anambra State, Chief Ken Arinze, kidnapped on February 21, has regained freedom.
Hosea Karma, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, confirmed this to newsmen in Awka on Friday.
Karma said the woman, from Ebenebe in Awka North Local Government Area of the state, was rescued on February 27 at Obinofia Ndiuno in Ezeagu, Enugu State.
He said the police and other security agencies would not relent in making the state crime free.
Karma said the kidnappers were traced to Enugu State by his men, following a tip-off after the woman’s family had paid N2.5 million ransom to the hoodlums.
The commissioner said the hoodlums called the woman’s son on phone and told him that he would never see his mother again.
He said the two suspects were gunned down during gun challenge with the police, adding that 13 other suspected kidnappers were arrested.
Karma said that some of the items recovered from them included four AK47 riffles, an English pistol and seven rounds of 9mm ammunition.
He said two of the suspects kidnapped the niece of the founder of Madonna University, Okija in Ihiala Council Area, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Edeh, on January 4 in the state.
He said she was rescued at Obolo-Afor, Enugu State.
Karma said: “These people had been engaged in high profile kidnapping in the state and elsewhere and had been hiding without knowing that they would be arrested one day.
“We are prepared to work day and night in Anambra to ensure peace.
“This is just a warning to others who are preparing to unleash mayhem in this state.
“I am ready and my men are equally ready for them.
“If they think Anambra is safe for them, they should have a rethink.”