By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State Police Command has recorded fresh operational successes with the recovery of a locally made pistol and the rescue of abducted Methodist cleric in separate operations across the state.

The command also arrested a suspected cultist in connection with the recovery of the firearm.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, the command said its operatives, acting on credible intelligence, disrupted a suspected cult meeting around a bakery in the Kpirikpiri area of Mile 50, Abakaliki, at about 11:52 p.m. on September 7, 2026.

According to the statement, the suspects fled upon sighting the police, leaving behind a bag which was subsequently searched by the operatives.

The search led to the recovery of a locally made Beretta pistol loaded with one round of 9mm ammunition, as well as a mobile phone allegedly belonging to a victim who was robbed earlier that night.

The police arrested one of the suspects, identified as Oshim Chisom, at the scene, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.

In a separate operation, the command rescued Rev. Ede Sunday, a Methodist Church cleric in Ndulo Amofia, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, who was abducted by armed men.

The incident occurred at about 11:55 p.m. on September 9, 2026, when two armed men reportedly double-crossed the cleric’s vehicle in front of the church, forced him out and whisked him away on a motorcycle.

Following a distress call, police operatives immediately mobilized and launched a pursuit of the abductors.

The command said the suspects, who came under pressure from the pursuing operatives, abandoned the victim and fled.

Rev. Sunday was subsequently rescued at St. James Secondary School, Amofia, while his vehicle was also recovered.

The cleric has since been reunited with his family, while the police have intensified efforts to identify 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 reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that criminals have no safe haven in the state.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to the police to support ongoing efforts to prevent and combat crime across the State.