Gunmen kidnap Catholic priest, seminarian in Edo

Gunmen

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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.

Police sources confirmed the incident on Tuesday to security expert, Zagazola Makama, saying the attack happened on Sunday night around 11:30 pm.

“The police got a distress call from the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Mr. Inaede Gabriel, that the church was under attack,” the source said.

“Officers, including the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), rushed to the scene and confirmed that the priest and seminarian had been taken into the bush to an unknown location.”

During the attack, local vigilantes clashed with the gunmen, killing one of the attackers. His body was taken to the General Hospital Mortuary in Aghenebode.

“Items recovered from the scene include a button phone with two Airtel SIM cards, a power bank, a jacket, a bag containing biscuits and sachets of Nescafé tea, two pairs of rubber shoes, and ₦168,850 in cash,” the source added.

A joint search-and-rescue team made up of soldiers from the Nigerian Army’s 195 Battalion, police officers, vigilantes, and local hunters is currently searching for the victims and the kidnappers.