Abducted Catholic priest released after 9 days

Rev. Fr. Peter Ekweli, the Catholic priest of St. Peter Catholic Church, Ivukwa, Etsako East LGA, Edo State, has reportedly regained his freedom after nine days in captivity.

However, the seminarian abducted alongside him is feared to have lost his life. While some sources claim he was killed, others suggest his fate remains uncertain.

A local source within the Catholic Church alleged that a ransom of about ₦20 million might have been paid for Fr. Ekweli’s release, though conflicting reports indicate he could have been rescued by security forces.

A widely circulated video on Thursday showed a man, reportedly another kidnapping victim, surrounded by vigilante officers. In the footage, the man described being held with Fr. Ekweli and the seminarian.

According to him, their captors instructed them to close their eyes before a gunshot rang out. When they opened their eyes, he recounted seeing the seminarian gravely injured, fighting for his life.

The man added that the hostages were later forced to walk to a location in Edo Central, where he eventually escaped.

Meanwhile, a Catholic Church insider revealed that an official statement regarding the priest’s release is expected on Friday.