The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the death of a seminarian, Peter Andrew, who was kidnapped alongside Rev. Fr. Peter Ekweli on March 3.
Andrew was serving at St. Peter Catholic Church in Ivukwa Community, Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, before he was abducted along with Ekweli.
On March 8, the kidnappers agreed to a ransom of N10 million, after initially demanding N100 million.
However, a viral video surfaced on Thursday showing a kidnap victim surrounded by uniformed men, believed to be vigilantes. The victim claimed he was abducted and held in the same location as the priest and seminarian.
According to him, they were all forced to close their eyes when they suddenly heard a gunshot. Upon opening their eyes, they saw the seminarian struggling for his life before he passed away.
The victim further stated that they trekked to a location in Edo Central, from where he managed to escape.
Meanwhile, the police announced that they rescued the reverend father on Thursday.
The spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, confirmed Andrew’s death on Friday.
In a statement shared with Saturday PUNCH, Yamu stated that officers were searching the bush to recover the corpse and apprehend the kidnappers.
The statement read, “Further to the kidnap of Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and Seminarian Peter Andrew at St. Peter Catholic Church, Iviukha, Etsako East LGA on 03/03/2025, intensive search and rescue operations by police operatives and vigilante members led to the release of the reverend father on 13/03/2025 at about 16:52 hrs in Amughe Community.”
“Bush combing continues with a view to recovering the remains of the seminarian, who regrettably lost his life in the process, as well as to arrest the remaining gang members of the kidnappers.”
A source close to the Catholic Church revealed that Ekweli is recovering at an undisclosed hospital.
