Released priest: Catholic faults security agencies, police’s rescue efforts

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi has decried the response of security agencies in the rescue efforts of its abducted priest, Reverend Father Philip Ekweli.

DAILY POST reports that the diocese, which confirmed the priest’s release from the hands of his abductors, particularly criticised the response of the Nigeria Police.

The bishop of the diocese, Most Rev. Dr Gabriel Dunia, expressed the diocese’s concerns in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday in Benin City. The statement, signed by Rev. Fr Peter Egielewa, Director of Communications of the diocese, however, expressed gratitude to the Edo State Government for its sincere efforts in securing the victims’ release.

Dunia described as unacceptable a situation in which the rescue of kidnapped victims is left entirely to family, friends, and acquaintances.

“The Chief Shepherd is grateful to the Edo State Government for their sincere efforts in securing the victims’ release but expresses dissatisfaction with the response of the police, particularly in the rescue efforts.

“He urged them to implement better measures to rescue kidnapped victims rather than leaving the entire operation solely to family, friends, and acquaintances of the victims,” the statement said.

The bishop added that, in the last 10 years, the Auchi Diocese has had six priests kidnapped, tortured, and released, while three others were attacked but managed to escape. He noted that, within this period, one of the priests, Fr Christopher Odia, was brutally murdered, along with a seminarian, Andrew Peter.

He disclosed that the abducted priest was released from captivity on Thursday, 13 March 2025, at about 4 pm near Amnughe village, a few kilometres from Okpekpe town, North Ibie, in Etsako East LGA of Edo State.

Dunia stated that the release ended Fr Ekweli’s 10-day ordeal in captivity, and he is currently receiving medical treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

“Unfortunately, however, the 21-year-old seminarian, Andrew Peter, who was kidnapped along with Fr Ekweli, was gruesomely murdered by the abductors.

“The Diocese expresses sincere condolences to the family of Andrew Peter, praying that God grants them consolation and strength in this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.

“Fr Ekweli and Seminarian Andrew were kidnapped on Monday, March 2025, at about 9:30 pm from the priests’ rectory of St Peter Catholic Church, Iviukhua-Agenebode, Etsako East LGA of Edo State, when gunmen attacked both the rectory and the church, destroyed doors and windows, and led them into the surrounding forests.

“The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr Gabriel Dunia, expresses gratitude to all for the prayers and moral support received while Fr Ekweli and the seminarian were held in captivity,” he added.

He, however, called on government at all levels and security agencies to address the deteriorating security situation in Edo North senatorial district in particular and other parts of Edo State.

He observed that the senatorial district has now become a haven for kidnappers, who operate at will while the people feel helpless and abandoned.

The bishop also urged the government to take proactive steps to deploy the necessary resources to Edo North to secure the lives and property of the people.

He noted that life has become unbearable for “our people in recent times [and] people are not safe on the roads, in their farms, or even in their homes.”

He described the situation as unacceptable, especially when there are elected officials whose duty it is to protect the people.

Released priest: Catholic faults security agencies, police’s rescue efforts