AFRICA/NIGERIA - Dramatic kidnapping of a priest and a seminarian

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - A dramatic kidnapping of a priest and a seminarian took place in Nigeria. Father Philip Ekeli and seminarian Peter Andrew were captured by armed men who entered the Catholic Church of St. Peter in the parish of Iviukwa, Etsako East district, Edo State (southern Nigeria) late on Sunday evening, March 2, around 11.30 p.m.
During the attack, one of the kidnappers was killed by the security guards of the Catholic church after a firefight with the perpetrators. Despite the intervention of the security guards, the priest and the seminarian were captured and taken to the bush.
Today, March 4, the local police confirmed the news and said that a joint search and rescue operation involving members of the 195th Battalion of the Nigerian Army, police officers, vigilante groups and local hunters is underway to rescue the victims and capture the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, Father Matthew David Dutsemi of the Diocese of Yola and Father Abraham Saummam of the Diocese of Jalingo, kidnapped on February 22, are still in the hands of their kidnappers (see Fides, 24/2/2025). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 4/3/2025)

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