JUST IN: Armed Men Attack St. Peter Catholic Church, Kidnap Priest, Seminarian

Gunmen have abducted Philip Ekeli, a Catholic priest, and Peter Andrew, a seminarian, from St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukwa, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The attack took place around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday. According to reports, the police were alerted through a distress call from Mr. Inaede Gabriel, chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), who reported that the church was under siege.

Security operatives, including members of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), were deployed to the scene and confirmed that the priest and seminarian had been taken by the attackers. Witnesses said the kidnappers escaped into a nearby bush with their victims.

During the attack, local vigilantes confronted the gunmen, killing one of the assailants. His body was later taken to the General Hospital Mortuary in Agenebode.

Recovered items from the scene included a button phone with two Airtel SIM cards, a power bank, a dagger jacket, a bag containing biscuits and sachets of Nescafé tea, two pairs of rubber shoes, and N168,850 in cash.

A joint search-and-rescue operation is underway involving personnel from the Nigerian Army’s 195 Battalion, police operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters to locate the abductors and secure the release of the victims.