The Edo State Police Command on Monday said its men killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued 64-year-old Rev. Fr Luigi Brena, an Italian, who was abducted along Ogunwenyi, Usen community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement by the state command’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, the suspects were killed when they engaged the police in a gun battle during the rescue operation.
“Operatives of the Edo State Police Command attached to Iguobazuwa Division on July 3, 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 LGA.
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“On receipt 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 firepower, the police operatives neutralised three of the kidnappers while the rest escaped with various gunshot 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 to arrest the suspected kidnappers now on the run,” the statement added.