Auchi Diocese confirms killing of abducted seminarian, says life has been ‘hell for our people’

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Edo State, has confirmed the tragic murder of 21-year-old seminarian Andrew Peter, who was abducted alongside Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli during an attack on their residence.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Communications for the diocese, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, announced that Fr. Ekweli had been freed after ten days in captivity.

“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 p.m. on Thursday, 13th of March, 2025, close to Amughe village, a few kilometers from Okpekpe town, North Ibie in Etsako East LGA of Edo State, ending ten days of captivity in the hands of his abductors. He is now receiving appropriate medical attention,” the statement read.

However, the diocese also confirmed that Seminarian Andrew Peter did not survive the ordeal.

“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.”

The two clerics were kidnapped on March 3, 2025, when gunmen stormed the rectory of St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukhua-Agenebode, Etsako East LGA, destroying property before taking them into the nearby forests.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, condemned the worsening security situation in Edo North, calling on authorities to take urgent action.

“He calls on 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 deploy the necessary resources to Edo North to secure 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.”

While expressing appreciation to the Edo State Government for its efforts in securing Fr. Ekweli’s release, the bishop criticized the response of security agencies, particularly the police.

“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 lamented the repeated attacks on its clergy, noting that in the past decade, six priests had been kidnapped and tortured, three had been attacked but escaped, and two, including Fr. Christopher Odia and now Seminarian Andrew Peter, had been 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.”