The Anambra State Police Command has successfully rescued Reverend Father Stephen Echezona, who was abducted by gunmen at a petrol station in Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area.
The assailants, driving a white Lexus SUV without a license plate, took the priest in his own vehicle after abandoning their own during a gun battle with security operatives who responded to the attack.
In a statement released on Sunday, police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that Father Echezona was freed in the early hours of March 23, 2025, by a joint security team, which included the police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, and local vigilante groups from Ichida and Ihiala.
“At around 2 a.m. today, March 23, 2025, a Joint Security Team comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defense, AVG Ichida, and Ihiala secured the release of Rev. Father Stephen Echezona in Ihiala. He was returned unharmed,” Ikenga said.
He further explained that the kidnappers abandoned their vehicle after a fierce 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 gunfight. The assailants abandoned the white Lexus SUV and, in a bid to flee, held the priest hostage. The operatives also recovered the Lexus,” he added.
Ikenga went on to detail that a coordinated pursuit, with multiple security checkpoints being alerted, forced the kidnappers to abandon the priest in Ihiala and flee through a nearby bush.
“In a coordinated chase by the operatives, various security checkpoints were notified, which led to the criminals abandoning the priest at Ihiala and escaping through a nearby bush,” he said. “The joint security team has secured the area in Ihiala, where they are continuing their efforts to arrest the armed criminals and recover the Toyota Highlander belonging to the priest.”
Ikenga concluded, saying, “Further updates will be communicated as developments occur.”
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