The serenity of St. Peter Catholic Church in the Ivukwa community, nestled within the Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, was shattered on the night of March 3, 2025. A group of armed men, suspected to be herders, stormed the church premises around 11:30 pm, abducting Reverend Father Philip Ekweli and Seminarian Peter Andrew. The brazen attack sent shockwaves through the community and the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, highlighting the growing insecurity plaguing the once-peaceful Edo North region. The Edo State Police Command, upon receiving distress calls from concerned citizens, swiftly mobilized a joint task force comprising police operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters. The ensuing confrontation with the kidnappers resulted in a fierce gun battle, leaving one suspect dead and four others apprehended.
The rapid response of the joint security force demonstrated a commitment to addressing the escalating security challenges in the area. The neutralized suspect’s body was transported to the General Hospital in Agenebode. A search of the deceased suspect revealed several items, including two pairs of rubber shoes, a basic mobile phone with two SIM cards, a power bank, a dagger jacket, a bag containing biscuits and Nescafé, and a significant sum of N168,850 in cash. These recovered items could potentially provide valuable clues in the ongoing investigation, helping authorities to unravel the network behind the abduction and possibly leading to the safe recovery of the abducted priest and seminarian.
The four suspects taken into custody were identified as 32-year-old Murtala Ibrahim, 31-year-old Joshua Joseph, 35-year-old Sadiq Sheidu, and 28-year-old Sunday Bulus. Their apprehension marked a crucial step in the quest for justice and the restoration of peace within the community. The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, further reinforced the security presence in the region by deploying additional anti-kidnapping operatives and personnel from the Police Mobile Force. This strategic deployment aimed to bolster the search and rescue efforts, working in conjunction with the military to secure the safe return of Reverend Father Ekweli and Seminarian Andrew and bring the remaining perpetrators to justice.
The abduction of the clergyman and seminarian sparked outrage and concern within the Catholic Diocese of Auchi. Most Reverend Dr. Gabriel Dunia, the Bishop of Auchi Diocese, expressed his dismay at the rising incidence of attacks targeting Catholic priests, calling on the government to take decisive action to address the deteriorating security situation in Edo North. Bishop Dunia’s plea underscored the growing fear and vulnerability felt by the religious community in the face of increasing violence. The once tranquil Edo North, he lamented, had become a haven for kidnappers, posing a significant threat to the safety and well-being of its residents, particularly those in religious service.
The diocese, through its Director of Communications, Reverend Father Peter Egielewa, released a detailed account of the harrowing attack. The statement revealed the extent of the violence, describing how the gunmen, in a display of brute force, tore down doors and windows of both the rectory and the church, their actions punctuated by heavy gunfire. Local vigilantes bravely attempted to repel the attackers but were ultimately overpowered by the kidnappers’ superior firepower. This account painted a vivid picture of the terror experienced by the community and the vulnerability of the church in the face of such attacks. The diocese appealed to Nigerians to unite in prayer for the safe return of Father Ekweli and Seminarian Andrew, highlighting the collective hope for a peaceful resolution to this crisis.
As the search and rescue operations intensified, the diocese and the wider community anxiously awaited news of the abducted pair. The incident served as a stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced security measures and a comprehensive strategy to combat the rising tide of kidnapping and violence that threatened the peace and stability of Edo North. The absence of any communication from the kidnappers at the time of the report added to the prevailing anxiety, leaving families, friends, and the entire community in a state of suspense and prayerful anticipation. The incident underscored the need for collaborative efforts between security agencies, community leaders, and the government to address the root causes of insecurity and restore peace to the affected region.
