Monday, March 24, 2025 - A joint security team comprising the police, military, NSCDC, and vigilantes have rescued a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona, who was abducted by gunmen at a petrol station in Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area.
Rev. Echezona, the Parish Priest of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church,
Ichida and the Chaplain of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Awka Diocese,
was kidnapped on Saturday evening, March 22, 2025, when he went to buy fuel at
the station.
Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga,
who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, March 23, said the suspected
kidnappers, operating in a white Lexus SUV without a plate number, abducted the
priest in his own vehicle after abandoning theirs during a gun exchange with
security operatives who responded to the attack.
“In the early hours of today, March 23rd, 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,” the statement read.
"The victim was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida where a joint
security force in an ensuing gun duel with the armed criminals operating in a
white Lexus SUV without plate number.
"The assailants abandoned the white Lexus and, in a bid, to flee
the scene due to the superior fire power of the Joint Security Team, fled the
scene and held the Rev. Father hostage. The Operatives also recovered the white
Lexus vehicle.
"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 have 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.”
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