A Catholic priest, Reverend Father Philip Ekeli, and a seminarian, Peter Andrew, were abducted by suspected kidnappers on Monday night at St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukwa, located in the Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. The abduction occurred around 11:30 pm, and the Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident.
Following a distress call, the police launched a swift rescue operation involving Operation Rescue teams, local vigilantes, and hunters. The operation resulted in a gun battle with the kidnappers, during which one suspect was killed, and four others were arrested. The police also recovered various items, including N168,850, two pairs of rubber shoes, a Tecno phone with two SIM cards, a power bank, a dagger jacket, a bag with biscuits, and Nescafé beverages from the suspects.
The arrested suspects were identified as Murtala Ibrahim (32), Joshua Joseph (31), Sadiq Sheidu (35), and Sunday Bulus (28). The police have promised additional efforts to secure the release of the victims and apprehend any remaining suspects, with the Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen Isokpan, deploying more teams from the anti-kidnapping unit alongside military personnel to assist in the operation.
The incident has raised concerns, as the victims were reportedly taken into a nearby bush by the abductors. Security forces, including the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), were quickly deployed to confirm the abduction and continue the search for the priest and seminarian. The case has also drawn attention to the increasing security challenges in the region, particularly regarding kidnapping activities.
