Police free abducted Anambra priest

The Anambra State Police Command has successfully rescued Reverend Father Stephen Echezona, who was abducted by gunmen at a petrol station in Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area.

The kidnappers, who were driving a white Lexus SUV without a plate number, took the priest in his own vehicle after abandoning theirs during a gunfight with security forces who had responded to the attack.

In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that the priest was rescued in the early hours of March 23, 2025, by a joint security team consisting of the 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 further revealed that the kidnappers had abandoned their Lexus SUV after a gun battle with the 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,” Ikenga explained.

“The operatives also recovered the white Lexus vehicle,” he added.

Ikenga continued by explaining that a coordinated chase, with various security checkpoints being alerted, led to the kidnappers abandoning the priest in Ihiala and fleeing 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 the possible arrest of the armed criminals and recovery of the Toyota Highlander belonging to the Rev. Father.

“Further developments would be communicated, please,” Ikenga concluded.