Ebonyi Police Rescue Abducted Cleric, Arrest Suspect

‎ ‎The Ebonyi State Police Command has recorded fresh operational successes with the recovery of a locally made pistol and the rescue of an abducted Methodist cleric in separate operations across the state.

‎ ‎The command also arrested a suspected cultist in connection with the recovery of the firearm. ‎ ‎In a statement issued today by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, the command said its operatives, acting on credible intelligence, disrupted a suspected cult meeting around a bakery in the Kpirikpiri area of Mile 50, Abakaliki, at about 11:52 p.m. on September 7, 2026. ‎ ‎According to the statement, the suspects fled upon sighting the police, leaving behind a bag which was subsequently searched by the operatives. ‎

‎The search led to the recovery of a locally made Beretta pistol loaded with one round of 9mm ammunition, as well as a mobile phone allegedly belonging to a victim who was robbed earlier that night. ‎ ‎The police arrested one of the suspects, identified as Oshim Chisom, at the scene, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group. ‎ ‎In a separate operation, the command rescued Rev. Ede Sunday, a Methodist Church cleric in Ndulo Amofia, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, who was abducted by armed men. ‎ ‎The incident occurred at about 11:55 p.m. on September 9, 2026, when two armed men reportedly double-crossed the cleric's vehicle in front of the church, forced him out and whisked him away on a motorcycle. ‎ ‎Following a distress call, police operatives immediately mobilized and launched a pursuit of the abductors. ‎ ‎The command said the suspects, who came under pressure from the pursuing operatives, abandoned the victim and fled. ‎ ‎Rev. Sunday was subsequently rescued at St. James Secondary School, Amofia, while his vehicle was also recovered. ‎ ‎The cleric has since been reunited with his family, while the police have intensified efforts to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspects. ‎ ‎The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Hope Urunwa-Okafor, commended the operatives for their prompt response, courage and professionalism. ‎ ‎She reaffirmed the command's commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that criminals have no safe haven in the state. ‎ ‎The command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to the police to support ongoing efforts to prevent and combat crime across the State.