Gunmen have kidnapped a Catholic priest, Rev. Father Philip Ekeli, and a seminarian, Peter Andrew, from St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukwa Community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. The attack occurred late Sunday night around 11:30 p.m., sending shockwaves through the local Christian community.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants, heavily armed and masked, stormed the church premises, disrupting what was supposed to be a quiet evening of prayer and rest. Despite a swift response from local vigilantes and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), the attackers managed to escape with the victims.
The incident has heightened concerns over rising insecurity in Edo State, with residents and religious leaders calling for increased security measures to protect places of worship. 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.
Religious leaders have expressed their dismay over the attack, with Bishop Matthew Ebosele of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi calling for prayers and swift action by law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice. The local community has been left in a state of fear and uncertainty, with many wondering if their places of worship are still safe.
The recent spike in violence and kidnappings in Edo State has led to an outcry from residents, who are demanding more robust security measures from the Okpebholo-led government.
