Gunmen abduct Catholic priest, seminarian — Police

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The Police Command in Edo State has launched a search for the suspected herders who allegedly abducted a Catholic priest and a seminarian from St. Peter Catholic Church, Ivukwa community, in Etsako East Local Government of the state.

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In a statement in Benin on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, said the incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on Monday when armed men stormed the church and kidnapped reverend father, Philip Ekeli and the seminarian, Peter Andrew.

According to him, a swift response by the police, in collaboration with vigilantes and hunters under Operation Rescue, led to a shootout with the attackers.

“One of the suspects, whose identity remains unknown, was neutralised during the operation, and his corpse has been deposited at the General Hospital, Agenebode,” Mr Yamu, a chief superintendent of police, stated.

Mr Yamu disclosed that items recovered from the suspect included a Tecno button phone with two SIM cards, a power bank, a dagger jacket, a bag containing biscuits and Nescafé beverage, and N168,850.

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The police spokesperson said four suspects were arrested during the operation.

He said the Commissioner of Police in Edo, Betty Otimenyin, has ordered reinforcements from the anti-kidnapping unit and Police Mobile Force, working alongside the military, to secure the victims’ unconditional release and capture the remaining abductors.

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Mr Yamu urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to aid ongoing rescue efforts.

(NAN)