After spending 10 days in captivity, Rev. Fr. Philip Ekeli has regained his freedom in Edo State, but tragically, the seminarian abducted alongside him, Peter Andrew, was killed by their captors.
DAILY GAZETTE recall that the priest and seminarian were kidnapped on March 3 at St. Peter Catholic Church, Iviukha, in Etsako East Local Government Area by armed assailants.
Confirming the development, the Edo State Police Command said in a statement by its spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, that Fr. Ekeli was rescued through a joint operation involving police operatives and local vigilantes.
“Intensive search and rescue operations by police operatives and vigilante members led to the release of the Rev. Father on March 13, in Amughe Community,” Yamu stated.
However, he regretted that the seminarian lost his life during the ordeal, while efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining members of the kidnapping gang.
During the abduction, one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralized, while four others were arrested.
