The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli and Seminarian Peter Andrew by suspected herders at St. Peter Catholic Church, Ivukwa community, Etsako East Local Government Area.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, in a statement on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, said operatives killed one of the suspected kidnappers while four others were arrested.
“On 03/03/2025 at about 2330hrs, the Command received a distress call from a concerned citizen that armed men suspected to be herdsmen stormed St. Peter Catholic Church in Ivukwa community, Etsako East LGA, abducting Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and Seminarian Peter Andrew,” he stated.
“The Police initiated a rescue operation involving the “Operation Rescue” teams, vigilantes, and hunters and swiftly rushed to the scene and engaged the attackers in a gun duel.
“One of the suspects whose name is unknown was neutralised, and the corpse deposited at the General Hospital Agenebode.
“Two (2) pairs of rubber shoes, one button Tecno phone with 2 sim cards, One (1) power bank, one dagger jacket, a bag containing biscuits and Nescafè beverage, the sum of one hundred and sixty-eight Thousand, eight hundred and fifty naira (168,850) were recovered in his possession.
“Furthermore, the following suspects; Murtala Ibrahim, 32yrs, Joshua Joseph, 31yrs, Sadiq Sheidu 35yrs, and Sunday Bulus 28yrs were arrested.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, psc, mnips has immediately detailed additional teams of the anti kidnapping unit to join forces with Police Mobile Force personnel alongside their military counter parts in that area, to ensure the unconditional release of the victims and apprehend their abductors.”
Reacting to the abduction, the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, expressed worry over the incessant kidnap of priests in Edo North Senatorial District.
The Director of Communication, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, in a release stated that the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, called on the government to address these persistent security challenges in Edo North and other parts of Edo State.
“The Catholic Diocese of Auchi requests all people of goodwill to join the faithful of the Diocese in prayers so that the abductors release Fr Ekweli unharmed,” the statement added
