The Police Command in Edo says it has rescued Reverend Father Philip Ekeli, who was kidnapped alongside Seminarian Peter Andrew in the state on March 3.
CSP Moses Yamu, the command’s Public Relations Officer announced this in a statement in Benin on Friday.
Yamu noted, however, that the seminarian tragically lost his life in captivity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo were reportedly kidnapped at St. Peters Catholic Church, Iviukha in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.
The police spokesperson asserted that security operatives and local vigilantes secured Fr. Ekeli’s release on March 13, at about 4:52 p.m. in Amughe Community.
“Bush-combing efforts are ongoing to recover the remains of the seminarian and apprehend the remaining members of the gang,” Yamu said.
He recalled that one suspect was neutralised and four others arrested on the day of the abduction.
“Security forces are continuing operations to track down the fleeing kidnappers,” he said.
The spokesperson said that the command condemns the killing of the seminarian and assures the public of its commitment to bringing all the perpetrators to justice.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
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INC Urges Tinubu To Caution Wike Over Comments On Ijaw People
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to order over his comments on the Ijaw.
The INC was reacting to alleged comments credited to Wike in which he said the Ijaw people ”were a minority of minorities in Rivers and other South South States except Bayelsa”.
In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary INC, said that the congress had taken note of the FCT minister’s remarks.
”We will continue to maintain peace and stability, as we call on President Tinubu to caution him and redirect his focus to his ministerial duties.
“The INC remains committed to preserving the harmony enjoyed by all in the Niger Delta region.
“We have taken note of the recent remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“Given his eight-year tenure as governor of Rivers we expected a more informed understanding of the state’s history,” the INC said.
For the record, the INC said that the Ijaw people are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, with over 40 million people, and the oldest tribe in Nigeria, as documented in history.
“They are the largest ethnic group in Rivers with eight local government areas, and also not a minority in Delta.
“The Ijaw have consistently advocated for fairness and equity in the Niger Delta region and the South-South, and we will not be swayed by individual attempts to provoke us,” Oyakemeagbegha said. (
Tinubu to caution Wike over comments on Ijaw people
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to order over his comments on the Ijaw.
The INC was reacting to alleged comments credited to Wike in which he said the Ijaw people ”were a minority of minorities in Rivers and other South South States except Bayelsa”.
In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary INC, said that the congress had taken note of the FCT minister’s remarks.
”We will continue to maintain peace and stability, as we call on President Tinubu to caution him and redirect his focus to his ministerial duties.
“The INC remains committed to preserving the harmony enjoyed by all in the Niger Delta region.
“We have taken note of the recent remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“Given his eight-year tenure as governor of Rivers we expected a more informed understanding of the state’s history,” the INC said.
For the record, the INC said that the Ijaw people are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, with over 40 million people, and the oldest tribe in Nigeria, as documented in history.
“They are the largest ethnic group in Rivers with eight local government areas, and also not a minority in Delta.
“The Ijaw have consistently advocated for fairness and equity in the Niger Delta region and the South-South, and we will not be swayed by individual attempts to provoke us,” Oyakemeagbegha said.
