A Reverend Father, Stephen Echezona has been rescued by the Anambra State Police Command after he was kidnapped at a petrol station in Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area.
The attackers, driving a white Lexus SUV without a plate number, abandoned their vehicle during a gunfight with security operatives and fled with the priest in his own car.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command’s spokesperson, said in a statement on Sunday that the victim was rescued in the early hours of March 23, 2025, by a joint security team consisting of police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilante groups from Ichida and Ihiala.
“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 mentioned that the kidnappers left their Lexus SUV behind while trying to flee following 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 pursuit triggered alerts at multiple security checkpoints, prompting the kidnappers to abandon the priest in Ihiala and flee into 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.
“Further developments would be communicated, please,” Ikenga added.
