Metro

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

Published

5 months ago

March 16, 2025

Editor

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

Vigilante Shoots Father Who Prevented Kidnapper Son’s Arrest In Kwara

Published

8 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Police Command in Kwara has confirmed the death of a man who helped alleged kidnap suspect escape.

The Police Commissioner in Kwara, Mr Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Wednesday in ilorin.

Ojo further disclosed that a vigilante member who sustained injuries from the incident was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The commissioner of police said the deceased struck a vigilante member, who was holding the alleged kidnap suspect, with a machete, enabling the suspect to escape.

He added that investigation was ongoing.

Eyewitnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria that the deceased prevented vigilante members from arresting his son over alleged involvement in kidnapping.

An eyewitness said the incident occurred on Tuesday at the Shaare Cattle Market in Kwara, as the deceased attempted to help his son evade arrest.

According to the source, the man attacked one of the vigilante members with a machete, creating an escape route for his son.

“In response, the vigilante member shot the man, who later died from his injuries,” the source said.

NAN

Metro

Police Arrest Six Suspected Cultists In Anambra Black Spot Raid

Published

9 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has raided a black spot in Ogidi, the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, arresting six suspects, including a female.

The spokesman for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a press statement released on Wednesday, adding that police operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad in Enugwu-Ukwu, carried out the operation on Tuesday.

Ikenga said the team recovered one fabricated Beretta pistol without a magazine and quantities of illicit drugs, including Mkpuru Mmiri (crystal meth), during the raid.

The statement read in part, “Police operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad Enugwu Ukwu on August 12, 2025 at about 2.30pm and acting on credible intelligence, stormed a black spot at 7th Mile, Ogidi, Idemili North LGA.

“The team arrested six suspects, including a female, and recovered one fabricated Beretta pistol without a magazine and quantities of illicit drugs, including Mkpuru Mmiri (crystal meth), during the raid.

“The suspects are: Olisaemeka Izuchukwu ‘M’ aged 21 years, Isioma Chisom ‘M’ aged 22 years, Chinonso Izuchukwu ‘M’ aged 20 years, Chinaza Isioma ‘M’ aged 24 years, Onyekwelu Miracle ‘M’ aged 19 years and Mrs. Chinenye Eloka Okeke ‘F’ aged 35 years.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives for their swift action and reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain the tempo against cultism, drug trafficking, and other crimes in the state.

“The suspects would be charged to court on the conclusion of the investigations.”

Metro

Ekiti Court Remands Lady For Stealing New Born In Health Facility

Published

9 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, has ordered the remand of a 34-year-old lady, Deborah Ayeni, at the correctional centre in Ado Ekiti over alleged stealing of a day-old baby at a health centre in the state capital city.

The prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court on Wednesday that “the defendant was alleged to have committed the offence which attracted public sympathy and interest as a result of the prevalence case of child stealing in Ekiti State and reported on August 4, 2025, against her.”

Oriyomi said, “The offence is punishable under Section 292 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021 within Ado Ekiti Magisterial District”.

He urged the court to remand the defendant at the correctional centre, saying, “She is reasonably suspected to have committed the offence”, as he prayed the court to grant his application for remand of the lady.

The police prosecutor said that the duplicate case file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

The defendant was represented in court by Stephen Ademuwagun.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, granted the prosecutor’s application for the remand of the defendant.

The chief magistrate adjourned the case till September 12 for mention.