Nigeria, March 23 -- Combined security operatives have rescued a Catholic priest, Stephen Echezona, in Anambra State, Nigeria's South-east.

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, announced this in a statement on Sunday.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the Catholic priest was abducted at a petrol station in Ichida, a community in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.

He did not, however, indicate when the victim was abducted.

Mr Ikenga said the joint security team engaged the abductors in a shootout before the cleric was rescued on Sunday morning.

He said the hoodlums were operating in a Lexus SUV when they were intercepted by the security team comprising operatives of the Nigerian police, the Nig...