The Nigerian Police have rescued Rev. Fr Luigi Brena, an Italian, who was abducted on Sunday along Ogunwenyi, Usen community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State. Father Brena, 64, was said to have been abandoned by his abductors after police engaged them in a gun duel, killing three in the process and injuring others.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Jennifer Iwegbu, who confirmed the above information in a statement on Monday said “Operatives of the Edo State Police Command attached to Iguobazuwa division on July 3, 2022, around 5.45am received information that Rev. Fr. Luigi Brena, 64, an Italian of Somascan father’s community, was abducted by suspected kidnappers along Ogunwenyi through Usen community in the Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
“On receipt of the information, 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 policemen neutralised three of the kidnappers, while the rest escaped with gunshot injuries and abandoned their victim.
According to Iwegbu, the reverend father was immediately to the Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Okada for medical attention. Meanwhile, intensive bush combing is ongoing targeted at arresting the kidnappers on the run.
Recall that before Brena’s abduction, gunmen abducted two Catholic priests around Ehor and Iruekpen communities along the Benin-Auchi Expressway.
The kidnapped clergymen who are yet to regain freedom are Reverend Father Udo Peter of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Uromi, and Reverend Father Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Centre, Ugboha in Esan South East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.