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In the early hours of Sunday morning, March 23rd, 2025, a Joint Security team comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defence, Anambra Vigilante Group, Ichida, and Ihiala respectively rescued Rev. Father Stephen Echezona at Ihiala. The priest was returned unharmed.
The cleric was abducted at a filling station in Ichida, where a joint security force engaged in a fierce gun duel with the armed criminals operating in a white Lexus SUV without plate number.
The assailants abandoned their white Lexus and due to the superior fire power of the Joint Security Team, fled the scene, while holding the priest hostage.
The operatives however recovered the white Lexus vehicle.
In a coordinated 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.
According to a press statement by the Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Joint Security Team have taken over the area in Ihiala for possible arrest of the armed criminals and recovery of the Toyota Highlander belonging to the Priest.
While confirming that the Priest was safe and sound, Ikenga assured that further developments on the case would be made public.
