Police Save Abducted Cleric in Ebonyi State

The police in Ebonyi State announced on Saturday that they rescued a Methodist cleric named Ede Sunday.

Joshua Ukandu, the police spokesperson in Ebonyi, shared this news in a statement from Abakaliki.

He mentioned that the police also found a locally made Beretta pistol and a stolen mobile phone during separate operations in the state.

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

He explained that early investigations showed that two armed men stopped the cleric in front of his church. They blocked his vehicle, forced him out, and took him away on a motorcycle.

After getting a distress call, the police quickly mobilized and chased the abductors.

"As the police got closer to the suspects, they left the victim behind and ran away.

"Rev. Ede Sunday was rescued at St. James Secondary School, Amofia, and his vehicle was also recovered," he said.

The spokesperson added that the cleric has returned to his family, and the police are working hard to find and catch the fleeing suspects.

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

This operation happened after the police received good information on 7 September around 11:52 p.m. about a suspected cult meeting near a bakery in the area.

"Acting quickly on the information, the police went to the location and broke up the meeting.

"When the suspects saw the police, they ran away, and one of them left behind a bag," he said.

Mr Ukandu said that searching the bag led to finding the locally made pistol and a mobile phone that belonged to a victim who had been robbed earlier that night.

He added that one suspect named Oshim Chisom was arrested at the scene and is helping the police with their investigation.

The spokesperson said the police are working hard to identify and catch the other suspects and bring them to justice.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Urunwa Okafor, praised the police for their quick response, bravery, and professionalism, according to the statement.

"We are dedicated to protecting lives and property and making sure criminals do not have a safe place in the state," said Mr Ukandu. He also urged the public to stay alert and provide timely and reliable information to the police to help fight crime.