Police Kill Three Suspected Kidnappers, Free  Italian in Edo

Adibe Emenyonu

The Edo State Police Command on Monday said its operatives have 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. 

The state Command Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, said in a statement that the suspects were killed when they engaged the police in a gun battle during the rescue operation.

According to the statement, “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”

Iwegbu added that the state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro urged inhabitants of Edo to continue to partner with the Command by availing it with prompt and useful information that would lead to the arrest of criminals terrorising the state.