By Comfort Idenyi (Ebonyi State Correspondent, in Abakaliki)
The Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, has recorded operational breakthroughs in its ongoing efforts to combat crime across the State, including the recovery of a locally made pistol and the successful rescue of an abducted cleric.
RECOVERY OF FIREARM AND STOLEN PHONE:
A statement at the weekend by the Command's Spokesman, SP Joshua Ukandu, said "On 7th September 2026, at about 11:52 p.m, operatives of the Command received credible intelligence on a meeting of suspected cultists around a bakery in the Kpirikpiri area of Mile 50, Abakaliki.
"Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the operatives mobilised to the location and successfully disrupted the gathering. Upon sighting the police, the suspects fled the scene, with one of them abandoning a bag at the scene.
"A search of the abandoned bag led to the recovery of one locally made Beretta pistol loaded with one round of 9mm ammunition, as well as a mobile phone belonging to a victim who had been robbed earlier that night.
"One suspect, identified as Oshim Chisom, was arrested at the scene and is currently assisting the police with the investigation. Efforts have been intensified to identify, apprehend and bring the fleeing suspects to justice".
RESCUE OF ABDUCTED CLERIC:
The Command said in another development, on "9th September 2026, at about 11:55 p.m, the Command received a distress call reporting the abduction of Rev. Ede Sunday, a cleric with the Methodist Church, Ndulo Amofia, Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
"Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was accosted in front of the church by two armed men who double-crossed his vehicle, forced him out and whisked him away on a motorcycle.
"Upon receipt of the distress call, operatives of the Command immediately mobilised and pursued the abductors. As the operatives closed in on the suspects, the hoodlums abandoned the victim and fled. Rev. Ede Sunday was successfully rescued at St. James Secondary School, Amofia, while his vehicle was also recovered.
"The victim has since been reunited with his family, while operatives are intensifying efforts to track down 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 reiterated the Command's unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that criminals have no safe place in Ebonyi State".
Superintendent Ukandu stated that the "Command therefore urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to the police, to support our efforts in preventing and combating crime". NNL.
