Security Operatives Rescue Kidnapped Catholic Priest After Gun Battle, Hot Chase in Anambra

By Uche Eke

Joint Security team comprising the Police, Military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) Ichida, and Ihiala on Sunday rescued abducted Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona at Ihiala.

AnambraDaily gathered that the cleric who operates at St Augustine’s Catholic Church Ichida was abducted at a fuel station along Igbo ukwuu Road on Saturday night and after a gun battle with security operatives and hot chase, he was rescued unharmed in the early hours of Sunday, 23rd March 2025.

According to an official statement by the Anambra State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, due to superior fire power of the joint Security team, the assailants abandoned the white Lexus and in a bid to flee the scene with abducted priest.

Ikenga further disclosed that security operatives who recovered a white Lexus vehicle used by the assailants, also carried out a coordinated hot chase from different security checkpoints and security operatives in the State which resulted in the criminals abandoning the priest at Ihiala and escaping through a nearby bush.

The Police Spokesman also adds that 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 priest.