Joint Security team comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defence, Ichida Vigilante Group, and Ihiala respectively secured the release of Reverend Father Stephen Echezona at Ihiala and was returned unharmed.

 

The victim was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida where a joint security force in an ensuing gun fight with the armed criminals who  held the Reverend Father hostage.

 

In a coordinated hot chase by the Operatives, different security checkpoints and security operatives in the State were alerted which resulted in the criminals abandoning the Priest at Ihiala and escaping through a nearby bush.