Gunmen abduct Catholic priest, Seminarian in Edo state

Gunmen have kidnapped Philip Ekeli, a Catholic Rev. Father and Peter Andrew, a seminarian, from St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukwa Community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, sending shockwaves through the local Christian community.

Police sources confirmed the incident on Tuesday to security expert Zagazola Makama, stating that the attack occurred late Sunday night around 11:30 p.m. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants, heavily armed and masked, stormed the church premises, disrupting what was supposed to be a quiet evening of prayer and rest.

“The police received a distress call from the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Inaede Gabriel, reporting that the church was under attack,” a security source said.

“Officers, including the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), responded swiftly and confirmed that the priest and seminarian had been taken into the bush to an unknown location.”

Read also:Gunmen posing as EFCC operatives abduct 10 from Niger hotel

During the attack, local vigilantes confronted the gunmen in a fierce exchange of gunfire, managing to kill one of the attackers. His body was taken to the General Hospital Mortuary in Agenebode. Despite their efforts, the attackers successfully fled with the victims, intensifying fears of ransom demands or potential harm.

Items recovered from the scene included a button phone with two Airtel SIM cards, a power bank, a jacket, a bag containing biscuits and sachets of Nescafé tea, two pairs of rubber shoes, and ₦168,850 in cash—items believed to belong to the kidnappers, potentially providing leads for security agencies.

The attack has heightened concerns over rising insecurity in Edo State, with residents and religious leaders calling for increased security measures to protect places of worship. Kidnappings, particularly targeting clergy members, have been on the rise, prompting urgent demands for decisive government action.

A joint search-and-rescue operation, comprising soldiers from the Nigerian Army’s 195 Battalion, police officers, vigilantes, and local hunters, is underway to locate the victims and apprehend the kidnappers. Security agencies have urged locals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as efforts intensify to bring the abductees home safely.