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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The kidnappers of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli, and a seminarian, Peter Andrew, are said to have made contact and have asked for N10 million ransom to set the duo free after an initial demand of N100 million. Recall that the two were kidnapped last Monday night at St Peter Catholic Church, Iviukhua, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
While responding to a distress call, vigilante members, backed by security agencies, killed one of the gang members, while another was said to have escaped with gunshot injuries and may have died in the forest.
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Though the Catholic Church has yet to officially react to this latest information, an informed source told our correspondent last night that the kidnappers reached out to family members of the priest and initially demanded N100 million ransom.
It was learnt that the parties settled for N10 million after much negotiation and that efforts are underway by family members and friends to rally round and raise the money. When contacted, the spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, said for now he is not aware of the development.
