Morenikeji Adebayo m
Gunmen have abducted a Catholic priest, Philip Ekeli, and a seminarian, Peter Andrew, from St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukwa, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, was confirmed by police sources on Tuesday.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the attack took place when the church was under siege.
The chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Mr. Inaede Gabriel, alerted the authorities about the distressing situation.
Security forces, including members of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), were promptly dispatched to the scene, where they confirmed the abduction of the priest and seminarian.
The attackers reportedly whisked the victims into the nearby bush.
In a twist, local vigilantes who attempted to resist the gunmen were able to kill one of the assailants. His body was later deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary in Agenebode.
During a search of the area, several items were recovered, including a button phone containing two Airtel SIM cards, a power bank, a dagger jacket, a bag with biscuits and sachets of Nescafé tea, two pairs of rubber shoes, and cash amounting to N168,850.
In response to the abduction, a joint search-and-rescue operation has been launched by personnel from the Nigerian Army’s 195 Battalion, police operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters. The operation is aimed at rescuing the victims and locating the abductors.
The incident has sparked concern in the region, as authorities work to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims.
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