Police rescue abducted cleric in Ebonyi

The police command in Ebonyi State said on Saturday it rescued an abducted Methodist cleric, Ede Sunday.

Joshua Ukandu, the police spokesperson in Ebonyi, disclosed this in a statement in Abakaliki.

He added that the command also recovered a locally made Beretta pistol and a stolen mobile phone in separate operations in the state.

Mr Ukandu, a superintendent of police, said the cleric was abducted on 9 September at about 11:55 p.m. at Ndulo Amofia in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that two armed men accosted the cleric in front of his church, double-crossed his vehicle, forced him out and whisked him away on a motorcycle.

He said that upon receiving the distress call, operatives of the command immediately mobilised and pursued the abductors.

“As the operatives closed in on the suspects, the hoodlums abandoned the victim and fled.

“Rev. Ede Sunday was successfully rescued at St. James Secondary School, Amofia, while his vehicle was also recovered,” he said.

The spokesperson said the victim had since been reunited with his family, while efforts were being intensified to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Mr Ukandu also said that operatives of the command recovered a locally made Beretta pistol loaded with one round of 9mm ammunition during an operation in the Kpirikpiri area of Mile 50, Abakaliki.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence received on 7 September at about 11:52 p.m. about a suspected cult meeting around a bakery in the area.

“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the operatives mobilised to the location and successfully disrupted the gathering.

“Upon sighting the police, the suspects fled the scene, with one of them abandoning a bag,” he said.

Mr Ukandu said a search of the abandoned bag led to the recovery of the locally made pistol and a mobile phone belonging to a victim who had reportedly been robbed earlier that night.

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He added that one suspect, identified as Oshim Chisom, was arrested at the scene and is assisting the police with the investigation.

The spokesperson said efforts have been intensified to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Urunwa Okafor, commended the operatives for their prompt response, courage and professionalism, according to the statement.

“We are committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring that criminals have no haven in the state,” said Mr Ukandu, who urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to the police to support efforts to prevent and combat crime.

(NAN)