A kidnapped Catholic priest has been rescued but sadly, the seminarian, who was also taken, was killed. The two were kidnapped in Nigeria, Africa. Agenzia Fides reported that Father Philip Ekeli and seminarian Peter Andrew were captured by armed men who entered the Catholic Church of Saint Peter in the parish of Iviukwa, Etsako East district, Edo State (southern Nigeria) late on Sunday evening, March 2nd, around 11:30 pm. Pm news Nigeria reported that the Edo State Police Command has announced the rescue of Father Philip Ekeli.
A statement on Friday, March 14th, in the morning by the Command’s spokesman, Moses Yamu, disclosed that the Catholic Priest was rescued in Amughe Community on Thursday, at about 4:50 pm. Intensive search and rescue operations by Police operatives and vigilante members led to the release of the priest.
Sadly, he announced that the seminarian lost his life in the rescue operation. 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.
On March 4th, 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.
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