Gunmen Kidnap Catholic Priest, Seminarian in Edo

Police Kill One, Arrest Four

Edo State was thrown into panic as gunmen kidnapped a Catholic priest, Rev. Father Philip Ekeli, and a seminarian, Peter Andrew, from St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukwa, Etsako East Local Government Area.

The abduction, which occurred on Sunday, was confirmed by the Edo State Police Command on Tuesday. Security operatives swiftly responded, leading to a deadly confrontation with the assailants.

Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, revealed in a statement that a joint rescue operation involving operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), vigilantes, and local hunters engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle. During the operation, one suspect was killed, while four others—Murtala Ibrahim, Joshua Joseph, Sadiq Sheidu, and Sunday Bulus—were apprehended.

“The Police initiated a rescue operation involving the ‘Operation Rescue’ teams, vigilantes, and hunters. They swiftly moved to the scene and engaged the attackers in a gun duel. One of the suspects was neutralised, and his corpse has been deposited at the General Hospital, Agenebode,” Yamu stated.

Recovered from the suspects were a Tecno button phone with two SIM cards, two pairs of rubber shoes, a power bank, a dagger jacket, a bag containing biscuits and Nescafé beverage, and a sum of N168,850.

In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, has deployed additional teams from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Police Mobile Force, working alongside the military, to secure the unconditional release of the victims and track down the remaining perpetrators.

The police have assured residents of their commitment to restoring security in the area while intensifying efforts to rescue the abducted priest and seminarian.