An Italian priest,Rev Luigi Brena who was abducted in Edo State on Sunday evening has been rescued by operatives of the state police command .
The 64- year- old cleric was kidnapped along Ogunwenyi ,Usen community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the development in a statement on Monday, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Jennifer Iwegbu said three of the suspects were shot dead during the rescue operation
The Deputy Spokesperson said that the police got the information about the abduction at about 5:45 pm and immediately trailed the kidnappers to their camp.
She said on sighting the police, the kidnappers opened fire but the superior fire power from the police neutralised three of the criminals while others escaped with various degrees of injuries.
She said the victim was immediately taken to the Igbinedion Teaching Hospital,Okada the adding that the police are on the trail of the fleeing kidnappers.
Fr Luigi’s abduction came less than 24 hours after gunmen kidnapped two Catholic Priests,Rev Fr Udoh Peter of St Patrick’s Catholic Church Uromi and Rev Fr, Philemon Uboh of St Joseph Retreat Center Ugboha in,Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State
The priests were abducted along the Benin – Auchi expressway while returning from an event.
