Metro

Edo: Catholic Church Calls Out Police, Govt Over Kidnapped Seminarian’s Death

Published

5 months ago

March 16, 2025

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi has condemned the response of security agencies in tackling kidnappings in Edo State, following the killing of 21-year-old seminarian, Andrew Peter, by his abductors.

The Edo State Police Command announced Peter’s death on Friday while confirming the rescue of Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli, who was kidnapped alongside him.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr Gabriel Dunia, in a statement on Saturday by the Director of Communications of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, called on the government at all levels and security agencies to stop the deteriorating security situation, particularly in Edo North and other parts of Edo State.

The statement read, “The Catholic Diocese of Auchi wishes to announce the release of Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli from the hands of his abductors.

“He was released at about 4.00 pm on Thursday, 13th of March, 2025 close to Amughe village, a few kilometres to Okpekpe town, North Ibie in Etsako East LGA of Edo State, ending 10 days of captivity in the hands of his abductors. He is now receiving appropriate medical attention.

“Unfortunately, however, the 21-year-old major seminarian, Andrew Peter, who was kidnapped along with Fr Ekweli, was gruesomely murdered by the abductors. The Diocese expresses sincere condolences to the family members of Andrew Peter, praying God to grant them consolation and strength in this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.”

Dunia noted that the state has now become a haven for kidnappers, operating at will while the people have become helpless and abandoned.

He added, “A call goes to the government at all levels and security agencies to stop the deteriorating security situation in Edo North in particular and other parts of Edo State, which has now become a safe haven for kidnappers, operating at will while the people feel helpless and abandoned.

“He urges the government to take proactive steps to deplore the necessary resources to Edo North to secure the lives and property of the people.

“Life has been hell for our people in recent times. People are not safe on the roads, in their farms and even in their homes.

“This is unacceptable when there are elected officials whose duty it is to protect the people.

“The chief shepherd is grateful to the Edo State Government for their sincere efforts in seeing the victims rescued, but expresses dissatisfaction with the response of the police in particular in the rescue efforts, urging them to put in place better measures to rescue kidnapped victims rather than leave the entire rescue efforts solely in the hands of family, friends and acquaintances of kidnapped victims.”

The diocese revealed that in the past decade, six of its priests had been kidnapped and tortured before release, three were attacked but escaped, and two—Fr. Christopher Odia and Seminarian Andrew Peter—were murdered.

“The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, expresses gratitude to all for the prayers and moral support received while Fr Ekweli and the Seminarian were held in captivity.

“May the souls of Seminarian Andrew Peter, Fr Christopher Odia and all those killed by kidnappers in Nigeria through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen,” the statement concluded.

Metro

JUST IN: Yinka Ayefele In Tears As Fire Guts Fresh FM

Published

5 hours ago

August 15, 2025

Editor

A fire outbreak has been reported at a popular Ibadan-based radio station, Fresh FM, at Felele area in Ibadan South-West local government area of the state capital on Friday.

The incident, which started a few hours ago, has disrupted other related activities at the station.

Newsmen could not confirm neither the cause nor extent of the damage as at the time of filing this report.

Confirming the incident in a telephone chat, the General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services, Rev Akinyemi Akinyinka said, “our men are on the ground. The situation is under control.”

Founded by popular musician and broadcaster, Yinka Ayefele, Fresh FM is one of the most listened-to radio stations in Ibadan.

Click link below to watch video:

https://cdn.pmnewsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4YarRfs4-AQPEpS7eh4Sj40BSksJ46sTcwVZZAOsq-ibfVmfuQPhOk5ETRyO-ynZLu4qMgK2n6JR220C0oTevEDxrkfItsdBP66n3H7KR0u2_EYfLrs2ZsQ.mp4?_=1

Metro

Lagos Woman Remanded For False Foreign Currency Declaration

Published

1 day ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded Ifunanya Phil-Olumba in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over allegations of falsely declaring and failing to declare foreign currency totaling $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had preferred three counts against the defendant, accusing her of making false declarations to the Nigeria Customs Service and failing to declare foreign currency, contrary to Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed proceedings, before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, the prosecution, led by Okezie Chineye, called two witnesses.

The first prosecution witness, an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Stella Ogar, told the court that the defendant was intercepted during inward clearance from the United Kingdom.

According to Ogar, the defendant declared only CA$4,000, despite allegedly being in possession of CA$14,000, alongside other undeclared sums.

“We arrested her and handed her over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation,” Ogar testified.

The second prosecution witness, an EFCC operative, Felicia Paul, confirmed that the defendant was handed over to the commission by the customs.

She stated that the defendant was interrogated and opted to make a written statement, which the prosecution sought to tender in evidence.

However, defence counsel, Edwin Anikwem, objected to the admissibility of the statement, contending that it was not obtained voluntarily and was made without the presence of counsel, contrary to legal requirements.

However, Justice Dipeolu adjourned further hearing to August 19 for continuation of the trial.

The EFCC alleged that on July 22, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, the defendant falsely declared the sum of $4,000 while in possession of $14,567; failed to declare CA$40; and falsely declared £1,000 while in possession of £1,030.

According to the anti-graft agency, the offences committed contravened Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Metro

Two Varsity Students Die In Bayelsa Road Crash

Published

2 days ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

A head-on collision between a truck and a commercial tricycle on the Yenagoa/Amassoma Road, Bayelsa State, has claimed the lives of two students from Niger Delta University, Amassoma.

The accident which occurred on Wednesday also left other passengers of the ill-fated tricycle critically injured.

Residents attributed the accident to absence of road signs and overspending by drivers as the crash occurred at a bend on the road.

The truck negotiated the bend at high speed, lost control and hit the tricycle at top speed, crushing it.

A trader, Godspower Okilo told The PUNCH on Thursday that the truck driver was moving too fast, and by the time he realised the danger, it was already too late.

He said, “The Keke (tricycle) had no chance of escaping the danger because the tipper was already close to it.
“We’ve been complaining about reckless truck drivers on this road for years, but nothing changes.

“The dangerous impact left the tricycle damaged beyond recognition. Good Samaritans rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the wreckage and transporting the injured to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.

“The bodies of the deceased were later evacuated to a nearby morgue.

“This incident has renewed calls for stricter traffic enforcement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the State Police Command should intensify patrols, introduce speed breakers, and conduct regular safety checks on heavy-duty vehicles.”

Another resident of the area, Mrs. Ebike Ekain, said if the appropriate authorities do not act now, more lives will be lost to accidents in the nearest future.

The Yenagoa/Amassoma Road is without doubt the most dangerous road in Bayelsa State due to the number of accidents that occur every year.
The reconstruction of the stretch from the Etegwe Roundabout to Tombia Community resulted in several turns which motorists do not consider as they often drive at dangerous speeds.

The Federal Road Safety Commission usually dispatches an ambulance to the road which is stationed at Tombia Community and sometimes at the roundabout leading to Agudama-Ekpetiama Community.

Spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, DSP Musa Muhammad, who confirmed the accident, said investigation is ongoing to unravel the cause of the accident.

“Yes, an accident happened there and we are investigating the causes of the accident,” he stated.