The Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Etsako West, a local government area of Edo State, on Sunday, announced the funeral mass for its seminarian, Andrew Peter, who was recently killed during his abduction in the Iviukua community.
The seminarian was murdered after being kidnapped along with Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli. However, the Rev. Father was released after days in captivity with serious bodily injury that were inflicted on him by the kidnappers.
Father Ekweli was released on Thursday, 13th of March 2025 close to Amughe village, a few kilometres to Okpekpe town, North Ibie in Etsako East LGA of Edo State, ending ten days of captivity in the hands of his abductors.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Catholic Diocese of Auchi and signed by the Director of Communication, Rev. Peter Egielewa, recall that “Seminarian Andrew Peter was kidnapped with Rev. Fr. Phiip Ekweli on Monday 3” of March 2025, when gunmen attacked the Priest‘s rectory and church of St Peter Catholic Church, Iviukhua-Agenebode, Etsako East LGA of Edo State.
“While Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli was severely tortured and released on the 13th of March 2025, seminarian Andrew Peter was unfortunately murdered by his abductors.
The statement, quoting the Bishop of the Diocese, stated, “The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr Gabriel Dunia, thanks all for their moral, spiritual, and psychological support in this painful incident.
“He requests all to join the Diocese in praying for the repose of the soul of seminarian Andrew Peter and healing for Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli.
“He enjoin all people of good will to pray for an end to insecurity in Edo State and once again calling on Government at all levels to address the persistent security challenges in Edo North and other parts of Edo State”.
In the last ten years, Auchi Diocese has had six of her priests kidnapped, tortured and released; three attacked but escaped, one (Fr Christopher Odia) brutally murdered, and now seminarian Andrew Peter also murdered.
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