Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

Gunmen have reportedly abducted Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona, a Catholic priest from St. Patrick Church, Ichida, in Anambra State.

According to security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Four armed men, driving a white Lexus 330 SUV with an unknown registration number, intercepted the priest and took him away along with his Toyota Highlander SUV.

A joint team of security operatives and local vigilantes (AVG) quickly responded, engaging the assailants in a gun duel at a road intersection between Oraeri and Akwaeze villages.

While the criminals managed to escape, their Lexus SUV sustained severe damage, including a shattered rear windshield.