Benin City, Edo State – Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a Catholic priest, Rev. Father Philip Ekeli, and a seminarian, Peter Andrew, in Edo State. The incident occurred on Monday at about 11:30 pm at St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukwa, Etsako East Local Government Area.
DAILY MENTOR reports that the Edo State Police Command confirmed the abduction and disclosed that one suspect was killed during a rescue operation, while four others were arrested. The Command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, provided details in a statement issued on Tuesday in Benin City.
Yamu identified the arrested suspects as Murtala Ibrahim, 32; Joshua Joseph, 31; Sadiq Sheidu, 35; and Sunday Bulus, 28. Items recovered from the suspects included N168,850, two pairs of rubber shoes, a Tecno phone with two SIM cards, a power bank, a dagger jacket, and a bag containing biscuits and Nescafé beverages.
According to the statement, the police received a distress call from a concerned citizen about the attack. A joint operation involving the police, vigilantes, and hunters was immediately launched, leading to a gun duel with the kidnappers. One suspect was neutralized during the confrontation, and his body was deposited at the General Hospital in Agenebode.
The statement read in part: “On 03/03/2025 at about 2330hrs, the Command received a distress call that armed men suspected to be herdsmen stormed St. Peter Catholic Church in Ivukwa community, abducting Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and Seminarian Peter Andrew. The police swiftly engaged the attackers, resulting in the death of one suspect and the arrest of four others.”
The Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen Isokpan, has deployed additional anti-kidnapping units, Police Mobile Force personnel, and military operatives to the area to ensure the safe release of the victims and the apprehension of the remaining kidnappers.
DAILY MENTOR gathered that the chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) alerted security operatives about the church siege. Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives and other security agencies were dispatched to the scene, confirming the abduction of the priest and seminarian. The kidnappers reportedly fled with their victims into a nearby bush.
The incident has heightened concerns over insecurity in the region, with calls for intensified efforts to combat kidnapping and ensure the safety of residents. Authorities have assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.