PlanningThe Edo State Police Command has come under fire from Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, for what he called a mediocre effort in rescuing Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli from his kidnappers.
According to Edotoday, on Monday, March 3, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Fr. Ekweli and seminarian Andrew Peter were abducted from the priests’ house at St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukhua-Agenebode, Etsako East LGA, Edo State.
Armed men stormed the rectory and church, destroying doors and windows before dragging them into the surrounding forest. Ekweli was eventually rescued at about 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025, near Amughe village, a few kilometers from Okpekpe town, North Ibie, Etsako East LGA, ending 10 terrible days in captivity. He’s getting medical care right now.
Unfortunately, the kidnappers cruelly murdered Andrew Peter, a major Seminarian, age 21.
Bishop Dunia voiced his strong disapproval of the police’s involvement in the rescue operations in a statement dated March 14, 2025, which was signed by Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, the Director of Communications. He criticized the police for leaving the victim’s family in the middle of the rescue effort, but he also thanked the Edo State Government for their assistance.
“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.”
Dunia also called on governments at all levels and security agencies to end the deteriorating security crisis in Edo North, which he described as a safe den for kidnappers operating at will.
“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.”
Six priests from the Diocese have been abducted, tortured, and then released in the last ten years, according to Bishop Dunia, who bemoaned the unrelenting tide of attacks on Catholic priests. Two people—Fr. Christopher Odia and now Seminarian Andrew Peter—had been brutally slain, while three others had been attacked but managed to flee.
“In the last ten years, Auchi Diocese has had six of her priests kidnapped, tortured and released, three attacked but escaped, and one (Fr Christopher Odia) brutally murdered and now seminarian Andrew Peter also murdered. 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 Catholic Diocese of Auchi extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Seminarian Andrew Peter, praying for their consolation and strength in this dark and painful time.
The Diocese also expressed appreciation to all those who offered prayers and moral Bishop Dunia voiced his strong disapproval of the police’s involvement in the rescue operations in a statement dated March 14, 2025, whichsupport during the ordeal.
