The Edo State Police Command has launched a comprehensive manhunt for suspected herdsmen following the abduction of a Catholic priest and a seminarian from St. Peter Catholic Church in the Ivukwa community, located in Etsako East Local Government Area.
In a statement issued in Benin on Tuesday, the police spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, detailed that the incident transpired around 11:30 p.m. on Monday night when armed assailants stormed the church premises, taking Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and Seminarian Peter Andrew hostage.
CSP Yamu reported that a rapid response from law enforcement, in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters operating under the initiative known as Operation Rescue, led to a confrontation with the kidnappers. “One of the suspects, whose identity remains unknown, was neutralised during the operation, and his corpse has been deposited at the General Hospital, Agenebode,” Yamu confirmed.
During the operation, authorities recovered several items from the suspect, including a Tecno mobile phone equipped with two SIM cards, a power bank, a dagger jacket, a bag of biscuits, a Nescafé beverage, and a total of N168,850 in cash. Additionally, four other suspects were apprehended, although their identities have not been disclosed.
Commissioner of Police Betty Otimenyin has directed the deployment of reinforcements from the anti-kidnapping unit and the Police Mobile Force, who will work in conjunction with military personnel to ensure the safe return of the abducted individuals and to apprehend the remaining suspects.
CSP Yamu urged community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to assist in the ongoing rescue operations. The police are committed to ensuring the safety of residents and the swift resolution of this alarming incident.
