Edotoday learned that before releasing their victims, the abductors of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Philip Ekeli, and a seminarian, Peter Andrew, have demanded N200 million, the release of two of their gang members, and a gun.
The clerics were abducted on Monday evening from the St. Peter Catholic Church in Ivukwa, which is located in Edo State’s Etsuko East local government area.
While the Catholic Church is yet to react to this recent information, a resident of the community who asked to remain anonymous said: “I just confirmed from the village that the kidnappers have opened communication but they are demanding N200 million, a gun and release of two of their gang members.”
“You know one of their members was killed during the incident and another escaped into the bush with injuries, that is the situation for now.”
Meanwhile when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said he was not aware of such development, adding: “In situations like this, there are bound to be all manner of insinuations. Somebody even called me yesterday to say that he read that they have even killed the priest but for now, I am not aware of this development.”
