ikosamede.com can report that the marching order handed down to security agencies by Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, for the rescue of two Catholic Priests recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen, has yielded positive results as the two Priests have been rescued unhurt by security operatives.
The Priests, Rev. Fr. Udo Peter of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Uromi and Rev. Fr. Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Center, Ugboha in Esan South East were abducted along the Benin-Auchi Expressway, between Ehor and Iruekpen. The Italian, Rev Fr. Luigi Brena of Somascan Father's Community was abducted along Siloko Iguobazuwa Road. He was released last Sunday.
Against the backdrop of the upsurge in kidnapping in the State, the Acting Governor, after series of meetings with security stakeholders, declared Government's resolve to rejig its security architecture. Shaibu, who was obviously furious gave security chiefs the marching order for release of the abducted Priests.
After the series of meetings with the stakeholders, Shaibu had also assured Edo people and residents that: " we will not back down on our massive and aggressive war declared on common criminals and enemies of the people who have brought unrest into our State."
Recall that ikosamede.com had yesterday reported the rescue of the Italian Priest.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the command, Jennifer Iwegbu, revealed that 64-year-old Italian Priest, Rev. Fr. Brena was abducted on Sunday evening by suspected kidnappers along Ogunwenyi through Usen community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
She explained that police operatives attached to Iguobazuwa Division were alerted of the incident on Sunday at about 5:45 pm and immediately trailed the suspected kidnappers to their camp.
On sighting the police operatives, the suspects opened fire on them after which the police swiftly responded.
"The superior firepower of the police operatives neutralised three of the kidnappers while the rest escaped into the forest with various degrees of gunshot injuries, abandoning their victim,” she said.
