•••Free abducted Italian in Edo
The police in Edo State have killed three suspected kidnappers in a gun battle during a rescue operation.
The operatives also freed a 64 year old Italian Rev. Fr Luigi Brena.
The Clergyman was abducted along Ogunwenyi, Usen Community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state.
Jennifer Iwegbu, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, a Superintendent of Police, Edo State Command, said in a statement on Monday that the the three hoodlums were killed during a police rescue operation.
She said that the police have launched an aggressive bush combing exercise in pursuit of fleeing members of the gang.
“Operatives of the Edo State Police Command attached to Iguobazuwa Division on the 03/07/2022 at about 17:45hrs received information that Rev. Fr Luigi Brena ‘M’ 64yrs, an Italian of Somascan Father’s Community was abducted by suspected kidnappers, along Ogunwenyi through Usen Community in Ovia South West Local Government area of Edo State.
“On reciept of the information, the police operatives immediately swung into action and trailed the suspected kidnappers to their camp in the forest.
“The suspects on sighting the operatives, opened fire on them, but with superior fire power, the police operatives neutralized three of the kidnappers while the rest escaped with various gun shot injuries and abandoned their victim.
“The Reverend Father was immediately rushed to Igbinedion Teaching Hospital, Okada for medical attention.
“Meanwhile, intensive bush combing is ongoing with the aim of arresting the suspected kidnappers now on the run,”
The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police Edo State Command, CP Abutu Yaro, as having encouraged the people of the State to volunteer necessary information that could aid police campaign against crime.
