One Suspect Killed, Four Arrested Over Catholic Priest’s Abduction In Edo
It was gathered that the security operatives, including the police, local vigilantes, and hunters, swiftly responded to the attack, engaging the kidnappers in a gun duel. During the confrontation, one of the suspects was neutralised, while four others were arrested.
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Catholic Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and Seminarian Peter Andrew in Ivukwa community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
It was gathered that the security operatives, including the police, local vigilantes, and hunters, swiftly responded to the attack, engaging the kidnappers in a gun duel. During the confrontation, one of the suspects was neutralised, while four others were arrested.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Moses Joel Yamu, disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday, assuring the public that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend the remaining suspects.
The statement read, “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.
“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.”
Yamu stated that one of the suspects, whose name is unknown, was neutralised, and the body was 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 Nescafé beverage, the sum of one hundred and sixty-eight Thousand, eight hundred and fifty naira (N168,850) 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 statement said.
Yamu added that Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, promptly assigned additional anti-kidnapping units to collaborate with Police Mobile Force personnel and their military counterparts in the area. This was to ensure the unconditional release of the victims and the apprehension of their abductors.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that gunmen suspected to be herdsmen abducted a Catholic priest, Rev. Father Philip Ekeli, and a seminarian, Peter Andrew, from St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukwa Community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. The attack reportedly occurred late Sunday night around 11:30 PM.
According to security sources, the police received a distress call from Mr. Inaede Gabriel, Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), alerting them that the church was under siege.
Security operatives, including members of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), were immediately deployed to the scene, confirming that the priest and seminarian had been abducted and taken to an unknown location.
During the attack, local vigilantes reportedly engaged the gunmen, resulting in the death of one assailant.
