The Nigeria Police Force on Sunday rescued a cleric, Reverend Nicodemus Ude,of the Nigeria Reformed Church in Edufu-Egbu, Ishieke of Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The cleric was initially kidnapped and eventually let go by his captives following a distress call to members of the public by his assistant who was with him at the time of the incident to block the road the kidnappers intended to use to exit the area with their victim.
According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer, SP Onome Onovwapoyeya, the tactical team and the Divisional Police Officer intercepted the kidnappers along Ndofia Ishieke and Edupfu Egbu Ishieke in Ebonyi local government area where they engaged the suspects, killed one and arrested two.
The statement reads: “Today being 23/04/2023, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Faleye S. Olaleye, received a distress call that a clergy had been kidnapped.
“He immediately swung into action by mobilizing the tactical teams and the Divisional Police Officer of Ebonyi Division to condone and barricade marked out areas.
“The Department of State Service was equally involved in getting the location of the victim. The kidnappers were intercepted along Ndofia Ishieke and Edupfu Egbu Ishieke in Ebonyi Local Government Area, where they abandoned the victim and took to their heels while exchanging gunshots with the Police to pave way for their escape.
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“Unfortunately, they were over-powered by the superior fire power of the police, which led to one (1) of them being neutralised and the arrest of two principal suspects.
“Two AK47 and one Lar rifles were recovered. Also recovered were two (2) vehicles, including that of the victim.
“The Commissioner of Police is using this medium to warn Criminals to lay down their arms or leave the State. Members of the Public may contact the control room number 07064515001 in case of any distress.”
