The Anambra State Police Command, in collaboration with the military, Civil Defence, and Anambra Vigilante Services (AVG), have rescued Reverend Stephen Echezona, who had been kidnapped on Sunday morning at a petrol station in Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area.
According to the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the victim was abducted by armed criminals operating in a white Lexus SUV without a license plate.
The assailants abandoned their vehicle during a gun exchange with the security team and took Rev. Father Echezona hostage.
“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.”
The Anambra State Police Command assures that further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses.
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