Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest Flee as Security Forces Engage in Gun Battle
A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona, has been rescued by a joint security team after being abducted by gunmen at a petrol station in Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area. Rev. Echezona, who serves as the Parish Priest of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ichida, and the Chaplain of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Awka Diocese, was kidnapped on Saturday evening, March 22, 2025, while refueling his vehicle. According to a statement from the Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the assailants, who operated in a white Lexus SUV without a plate number, abducted the priest in his own…