The men of the Edo State Police Command have said one of the kidnappers who abducted and murdered a Priest of St Michael Catholic church, lkhabigbo, Etsako West Local Government area of Edo State, Rev Father Christopher Odia, has been shot dead.
The Deputy Police Public Relations officer in the state, Jennifer Iwegbu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police said that several members of the murderous gang escaped with bullet wounds.
According to her, the police are carrying out intensive combing of the bush to ensure that the fleeing kidnappers are arrested and made to face justice.
Iwegbu said that the operation was carried out by a combined team of operatives from Jattu Police Division, the Police Tactical Teams, and the Local Vigilance Group.
She said that a hunter identified as Nurudeen was shot dead hunter kidnappers during the operation.
The statement reads, “Following the kidnap of the parish priest of St Michael Catholic church, lkhabigbo , Etsako West Local Government area of Edo State, Rev Father Christopher Odia in his rectory while coming out for Sunday mass in the wee hours of 26/6/22, a combined Team of Police Tactical Teams, Jattu Divisional Police operatives and the local Vigilante team, led by the Divisional Police Officer, went into the forest with a view to rescue the catholic priest.
“In fustration, the abductors killed Rev Father Christopher Odia. A Hunter identified as Nurudeen was also shot dead in the process while the Police personnel who went on the trail of the kidnappers killed one of them with other gang members escaping with various gun shot injuries.
“Intensive bush combing is ongoing towards ensuring that those who escaped are arrested and made to face justice,” she added.
She further said that the Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro commiserated with the Catholic community in the state and Nigeria as he urged the public to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses as security strategy has been put in place to ensure the arrest of the fleeing gang members.
She stated that the CP also encouraged Edo people not to relent in providing the police with prompt and useful information that would lead to the arrest of the criminals.