Christians in Nigeria are in shock after a 21-year-old seminarian was brutally killed by kidnappers.
In a statement sent to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Fr Peter Egielewa, spokesman for the local diocese, reported that Andrew Peter “was gruesomely murdered by the abductors”.
But the priest, director of communications for Auchi diocese, also stated that fellow abductee Fr Philip Ekweli was released on Thursday (13th March) afternoon, near Okpekpe town, in Edo State, after 10 days in captivity.
Fr Ekweti and the 21-year-old seminarian were kidnapped around 9.30pm on Monday 3rd March when gunmen descended on the rectory of St Peter’s Church in Iviukhua-Agenebode, Etsako Local Government Area (LGA).
According to Fr Egielewa, “gunmen attacked both the rectory and church, destroyed doors and windows and led them into the surrounding forests.”
Fr Ekweti added: “The diocese expresses sincere condolences to the family members of Andrew Peter, praying God to grant them consolation and strength in this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.”
Bishop Gabriel Dunia of Auchi called on the government and security agencies “to stop the deteriorating security situation in Edo North in particular and other parts of Edo State which has now become a safe haven for kidnappers, operating at will while the people feel helpless and abandoned.”
He said: “Life has been hell for our people in recent times. People are not safe on the roads, in their farms and even in their homes.”
The bishop thanked Edo State Government for their work securing the release of the kidnapped clerics “but expresses dissatisfaction with the response of the police in particular in the rescue efforts, urging them to put in place better measures to rescue kidnapped victims rather than leave the entire rescue efforts solely in the hands of family, friends and acquaintances of kidnapped victims.”
Despite being in the south of Nigeria, away from the epicentres of jihadist violence, Auchi Diocese has had six priests kidnapped and released over the last decade.
Andrew Peter is not the first to die at the hands of his captors.
Fr Christopher Odia was also killed in June 2022.
The latest abduction in Auchi follow a series of kidnappings targeting Catholic priests in Nigeria.
Fr Sylvester Okechukwu was murdered in the Diocese of Kafanchan on the evening of 4th March and was found murdered in the early hours of the following morning.
According to a study by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, 145 priests were seized between 2015 and 2025. Of those kidnapped, 11 were killed and four are still missing.
According to ACN data, this year alone, 10 clergy have been kidnapped, including two murders.
