The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the death of Seminarian Peter Andrew, who was kidnapped alongside Rev. Fr. Peter Ekweli on March 3 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Ivukwa Community, Etsako East Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, announced on Friday that the seminarian had died while the reverend father was released on Thursday.
The kidnappers initially demanded N100 million as ransom but later settled for N10 million.
However, the police said they rescued the reverend father on Thursday.
A video that surfaced online showed a kidnap victim, surrounded by men believed to be vigilantes, saying he was held in the same place as the priest and seminarian.
He said they were forced to close their eyes and then he heard a gunshot.
When they were told to open their eyes, they saw the seminarian struggling for his life before he died.
The victim said he later escaped after trekking to a location in Edo Central.
In a statement on Friday, Yamu confirmed the seminarian’s death, saying officers were searching the bush to recover his body and arrest the kidnappers.
The statement read, “Further to the kidnap of Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and Seminarian Peter Andrew at the St. Peter Catholic Church, Iviukha, Etsako East LGA, on 03/03/2025, intensive search and rescue operations by police operatives and vigilante members led to the release of the Rev. Father on 13/03/2025 at about 16:52 hrs in Amughe Community.
“Bush combing continues with a view to recover the remains of the seminarian, who regrettably lost his life in the process, as well as to arrest the remaining gang of kidnappers.
“Recall that one suspect was neutralized, and four suspects—Murtala Ibrahim, 32, Joshua Joseph, 31, Sadiq Sheidu, 35, and Sunday Bulus, 28—were arrested on the day of the kidnap.”
A source close to the Catholic Church said Rev. Fr. Ekweli is recovering at an undisclosed hospital.
