The Edo State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the kidnap of Rev. Father Philip Ekweli and Seminarian Peter Andrew by suspected herders at the St. Peter Catholic Church in Ivukwa community, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

The command spokesman, Moses Yamu, in a statement, also said that one of the suspects whose name is unknown was neutralised and the corpse deposited at the General Hospital, Agenebode.

Yamu also said four suspects; Murtala Ibrahim, 32 years; Joshua Joseph, 31 years; Sadiq Sheidu, 35 years; and Sunday Bulus, 28 years; were arrested.

He said, “On 03/03/2025 at about 23:30 hours, the command received a distress call from a concerned citizen that armed men suspected to be herdsmen stormed St. Peter Catholic Church in Ivukwa Community, Etsako East LGA, abducting Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and Seminarian Peter Andrew.

“The police initiated a rescue operation involving the “Operation Rescue teams, vigilantes, and hunters and swiftly rushed to the scene and engaged the attackers in a gun duel.

“One of the suspects whose name is unknown was neutralised, and the corpse deposited at the General Hospital, Agenebode.

“Two pairs of rubber shoes, one button Tecno phone with two SIM cards, one power bank, one dagger jacket, a bag containing biscuits and Nescafè beverage, the sum of N168,850 were recovered in his possession.

“Furthermore, the following suspects; Murtala Ibrahim, 32 years, Joshua Joseph, 31 years, Sadiq Sheidu 35 years, and Sunday Bulus 28 years were arrested.”

Yamu noted that the Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, immediately detailed additional teams of the anti-kidnapping unit to join forces with the Police Mobile Force personnel alongside their military counterparts in that area to ensure the unconditional release of the victims and apprehend their abductors.





https://punchng.com/suspected-herders-kidnap-edo-catholic-priest-four-arrested/