By Zagazola Makama
Suspected armed Fulani attackers have abducted Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and 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, stating that the attack took place on Sunday around 11:30 p.m.
According to reports, the police received a distress call from the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Inaede Gabriel, alerting them that the church was under siege.
Operatives, including members of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), were deployed to the scene, confirming that the priest and seminarian had been taken into the bush.
During the attack, local vigilantes engaged the gunmen, killing one of the assailants. His body has been deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary in Aghenebode.
Recovered items from the scene included a button phone with two Airtel SIM cards, a power bank, a dagger jacket, biscuits, sachets of Nescafé tea, two pairs of rubber shoes, and a small bag containing ₦168,850 in cash.
A joint search-and-rescue operation involving the Nigerian Army’s 195 Battalion, police operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters is underway to locate the victims and apprehend the abductors.
