Catholic church in Edo State grieves as kidn@ppers abduct priest and seminarian

The Catholic community in Edo State is in dilemma following the kidnapping of Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and seminarian Peter Andrew from St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Ivukwa, in the Etsako East Local Government Area.

The incident occurred late in the night on March 3, 2025, when g¥nmen stormed the church and rectory, abducting the priest and seminarian at g¥npoint.

According to the Edo State Police Command, the att@ck took place around 11:30 pm.

The local vigilantes, along with hunters, responded quickly to the scene, engaging in a gun battle with the kidnappers.

However, despite their efforts, the assailants, @rmed with superior weaponry, managed to escape with the hostages.

During the exchange, one kidn@pper was ki!!ed, and four others were apprehended. The deceased kidn@pper’s body was later deposited at the General Hospital in Agenebode.

Items recovered from the suspect included two pairs of rubber shoes, a Tecno phone with two SIM cards, a power bank, a dagger jacket, a bag of snacks, and a significant sum of money amounting to N168,850.

In response to the kidn@pping, the police have escalated their efforts, with the Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimeyin, directing additional teams from the anti-kidn@pping unit, Police Mobile Force, and military personnel to join forces in the rescue operation.

The authorities are committed to securing the safe release of Father Ekeli and seminarian Peter Andrew while also pursuing the remaining kidnappers.

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi, which oversees the region, has expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in kidn@ppings of clergy members in Edo North.

In a statement released by Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, the Diocese’s Director of Communication, the Church condemned the violence that has plagued the once peaceful area.

The Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, voiced his sadness over the frequent abductions and highlighted how Edo North has become a hotspot for kidnappers seeking ransom.

The Diocese is urging the state and federal government to take decisive action to curb the growing insecurity in the region.

“It has become a business center for kidn@ppers,” he said, calling for enhanced security measures and for the abductors to release Father Ekeli unharmed.