Three alleged kidnappers are killed by Edo police, who release Italians.

 Three alleged kidnappers are killed by Edo police, who release Italians.

The Italian Rev. Fr. Luigi Brena, 64, who was kidnapped along Ogunwenyi, Usen community in the state's Ovia South-West Local Government Area, was freed, according to the Edo State Police Command on Monday.

The suspects were shot and killed during the rescue operation, according to a statement from ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, the state command's deputy police public relations officer.

According to the statement, "Operations of the Edo State Police Command attached to Iguobazuwa Division received information that Rev. Fr. Luigi Brena 'M' 64yrs, an Italian from the Somascan Father's Community, was abducted by suspected kidnappers along Ogunwenyi through Usen community in Ovia South-West LGA on July 3, 2022, at about 17:45hrs.

The police officers sprang into action as soon as they received the information and pursued the alleged kidnappers to their camp in the bush.

"The suspects fired at the police officers when they saw them, but due to their superior firepower, they were able to stop three of the assailants, leaving the others to flee with various gunshot wounds and abandon their victim.

As soon as possible, the Reverend Father was taken to Igbinedion Teaching Hospital in Okada for medical care. To catch the alleged kidnappers who are currently on the run, an extensive jungle search is ongoing, the statement continued.

The good people of Edo were asked by CP Abutu Yaro, the commissioner of police for the Edo State Command, to continue working with the Command by providing it with timely and pertinent information that would enable the arrest of criminals terrorizing the State.