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Police rescue abducted Catholic priest, arrest three suspects

By Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri
21 June 2017   |   4:30 am
A crack team of the Imo State police command has rescued a Catholic priest, Rev. Father Charles Nwachukwu of the Okigwe Catholic Diocese, Imo State, who was abducted by some gunmen.

A crack team of the Imo State police command has rescued a Catholic priest, Rev. Father Charles Nwachukwu of the Okigwe Catholic Diocese, Imo State, who was abducted by some gunmen.

Addressing journalists yesterday, at the state police headquarters, Owerri, the Commissioner of Police, Chris Okey Ezeike, said three suspected kidnappers have been apprehended, and are supplying useful information.

According to him, the priest was abducted on June 16 and robbed of his Toyota Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), in Umuopku, Agbajah, Nwangele Local Council of Imo State.

He said: ‘’On 16/06/2017, one Rev. Father (name withheld) of Okigwe Catholic Diocese was kidnapped and robbed of his Toyota Highlander jeep while on transit along Umuokpu Agbajah in Nwangele L.G.A by five unidentified armed men. On report of the incident, operatives of the State Anti-Kidnapping Unit swung into action through tracking of the hoodlums.

‘’On 18/06/2017, the victim was successfully rescued unhurt at Umuokpu forest in Agbajah Nwangele L.G.A. of Imo State and his Toyota Highlander jeep subsequently recovered. The suspects have confessed to the crime and are cooperating with investigation. They have also disclosed the identity of their cohorts. They have equally confessed to other kidnapping and robbery operations they have carried out.’’

Also, he said a search warrant at the home of one Chidera Njoku, in Ngor Opkala, Imo State led to the recovery of arms and ammunition.

He said: “Operatives of Ngor Okpala Division of the Command while acting on an intelligence report executed a search warrant in a shrine and house of one Chidera Njoku ‘m’ of Umuagwu Alulu in Ngor Okpala L.G.A. of Imo State. The suspect on sighting the police operatives took to his heels.

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