A joint operation by security agencies in Anambra State has led to the rescue of a Catholic priest, Rev. Father Stephen Echezona, abducted by armed men on Saturday.
The rescue operation by security operatives comprising the police, military and civil defence occurred barely 24 hours after his abduction at a fuel station in Ichida, a community in the Anaocha local government area of the state.
A video sighted by THE WHISTLER showed that the assailants abandoned a white Lexus used to ambush and kidnap the victim.
In the short footage captured on Saturday night, a background voice noted that the assailants abandoned their vehicle and left with the victim in his vehicle.
The white Lexus had a shattered rear windscreen, with its four doors left wide open.
According to the eyewitness who recorded the video, security operatives had engaged the criminals in a gun duel, which resulted in the damage to the vehicle.
A statement by the police on Sunday, signed by its spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, further confirmed the incident.
“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 victim was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida where a joint security force engaged in an ensuing gun duel with the armed criminals operating in a white Lexus SUV without a plate number.
“The assailants abandoned the white Lexus and, in a bid to flee the scene due to the superior firepower of the Joint Security Team, fled the scene and held the Rev. Father hostage. The operatives also recovered the white Lexus vehicle,” the statement read.
The police affirmed that while “the priest was returned unharmed,” different security checkpoints and security operatives in the state were alerted, which resulted in the criminals abandoning the priest at Ihiala.
The criminals were said to have escaped through a nearby bush, according to the police.
“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 statement read.
The development followed Saturday’s rescue operation, where three persons abducted at the Nkwelle-Ezunaka area of the Oyi Local Government of Anambra were rescued after days of torture.
A video of the victims, sighted by THE WHISTLER, showed the men tied together as their abductors brutally assaulted them.
The video showed one of the victims on a call with one ‘Sunny’ pleading to be rescued from the torment.
“They have shot one of us in the foot,” said one of the victims.
The trio were subsequently rescued at about 7:20 am on Saturday, along the Onitsha/Owerri Express Road, Ozubulu area of the state, the police confirmed.
Police Rescue Anambra Priest 24-Hours After Abduction is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
