The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of Peter Andrew, a seminarian who was kidnapped alongside Rev. Fr. Peter Ekweli on March 3, 2025, in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state. Andrew, a member of the St. Peter Catholic Church in Ivukwa Community, was abducted with the priest during a violent raid by suspected kidnappers.
The incident took place when the two men were kidnapped from their church. On March 8, the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million as ransom for their release. However, after negotiations, they lowered their demand to N10 million. The details of the negotiations were not immediately available, but it was clear that the captors were willing to settle for a lower amount to secure the hostages’ freedom.
Tragically, a viral video posted on social media on Thursday, March 13, shed light on the horrifying events that unfolded during the kidnapping. In the video, a man, believed to be another victim of the same kidnapping incident, claimed that he and the other hostages were forced to close their eyes by the kidnappers. After hearing a gunshot, they opened their eyes to find Peter Andrew struggling for his life, before he ultimately died from his injuries.
According to the victim in the video, the captives had been moved to a location in Edo Central, from where he managed to escape. This chilling testimony painted a gruesome picture of the ordeal that Peter Andrew and Rev. Fr. Ekweli endured while in captivity. The exact cause of Andrew’s death remains unclear, but the victim’s account points to a violent confrontation that led to the seminarian’s tragic end.
The Edo State Police Command quickly launched a search operation, working alongside local vigilantes to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of the victims. On March 13, the police successfully rescued Rev. Fr. Peter Ekweli, who was freed from captivity at approximately 4:52 PM in Amughe Community, Edo State. Authorities have not revealed where Ekweli was held during his time in captivity, but he is reported to be recovering in an undisclosed hospital.
Moses Yamu, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police, confirmed the unfortunate death of Peter Andrew in a statement issued on March 14. Yamu also disclosed that efforts to recover the body of the seminarian were ongoing, with police operatives and vigilante groups continuing their search in the bush where the kidnapping took place.
“Further to the kidnap of Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and Seminarian Peter Andrew at 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 reverend father on 13/03/2025 at about 16:52 hrs in Amughe Community,” Yamu’s statement read.
He added that police were focused on recovering the body of Andrew and apprehending the remaining members of the kidnapping gang. “Bush combing continues with a view to recovering the remains of the seminarian, who regrettably lost his life in the process, as well as to arrest the remaining gang members of the kidnappers,” Yamu confirmed.
The police also reported the neutralization of one suspect and the arrest of four others: Murtala Ibrahim, 32; Joshua Joseph, 31; Sadiq Sheidu, 35; and Sunday Bulus, 28. These suspects were taken into custody on the day of the kidnapping. Authorities are hopeful that further investigations will lead to the identification and capture of other members of the kidnapping gang.
The abduction of Rev. Fr. Ekweli and Peter Andrew highlights the increasing wave of kidnappings and violent crimes in Edo State and other parts of Nigeria. Kidnapping for ransom has become a growing concern across the country, with criminals targeting both wealthy individuals and vulnerable members of society. In many cases, religious leaders, particularly priests and seminarians, have been the victims of such attacks.
While the police have been working diligently to curb the rise of kidnapping in the region, the security situation remains a challenge for both the authorities and local communities. The presence of vigilantes has been a crucial factor in many rescue operations, though concerns about the capacity of local security agencies to prevent and respond to such incidents effectively persist.
A source close to the Catholic Church in the area confirmed that Rev. Fr. Ekweli is recovering in an undisclosed hospital. Although the priest’s health is said to be improving, the tragic death of Peter Andrew has left the church community in deep sorrow. Church members and well-wishers have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and the Catholic Church in Edo State, as the community continues to mourn the loss of the young seminarian.
The death of Peter Andrew is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminal gangs operating across the country, and the need for enhanced security measures to protect citizens, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. With kidnapping incidents on the rise, many Nigerians are calling for stronger government action to tackle the problem and bring those responsible for such crimes to justice.
As the police continue their efforts to track down the remaining kidnappers and recover Andrew’s body, the case has further ignited calls for reform in Nigeria’s security apparatus. Authorities have promised to continue their investigations into the kidnapping and ensure that justice is served for Peter Andrew and all other victims of such heinous crimes.
