In a dramatic rescue operation, the Anambra State Police Command has successfully freed Reverend Father Stephen Echezona, who was kidnapped by gunmen in Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area. The daring operation took place in the early hours of March 23, 2025, thanks to the coordinated efforts of a joint security team comprising the police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilante groups.
Reverend Father Echezona was abducted by armed assailants at a petrol station in Ichida, who initially used a white Lexus SUV without a plate number. However, during a gunfight with responding security forces, the criminals abandoned their vehicle and forced the priest into his own car as they fled the scene.
In a statement, the police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, revealed that the joint security team worked tirelessly to track down the criminals. He said, “The assailants engaged in a gun battle with our forces, forcing them to abandon the white Lexus SUV. The kidnappers then held the Reverend Father hostage as they attempted to escape.”
The pursuit of the criminals was relentless, with various security checkpoints set up across the region. The pressure led the assailants to abandon the priest in Ihiala, where they fled into nearby bushes, leaving their hostage unharmed.
Ikenga also confirmed the recovery of the white Lexus SUV, as well as the ongoing efforts to locate and apprehend the criminals. “Our team has taken control of the scene in Ihiala and is intensifying efforts to arrest the armed assailants,” he added.
This successful operation underscores the strength of the collaborative security effort in Anambra, as law enforcement continues to tackle the growing menace of kidnapping in the region. Further updates on the investigation will be communicated as new information becomes available.
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