The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the death of Seminarian Peter Andrew, who was kidnapped alongside Rev. Fr. Peter Ekweli on March 3 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Ivukwa Community, Etsako East Local Government Area.

Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, announced on Friday that the seminarian had died while the reverend father was released on Thursday.

The kidnappers initially demanded N100 million as ransom but later settled for N10 million.

However, the police said they rescued the reverend father on Thursday.

A video that surfaced online showed a kidnap victim, surrounded by men believed to be vigilantes, saying he was held in the same place as the priest and seminarian.

He said they were forced to close their eyes and then he heard a gunshot.

When they were told to open their eyes, they saw the seminarian struggling for his life before he died.

The victim said he later escaped after trekking to a location in Edo Central.

In a statement on Friday, Yamu confirmed the seminarian’s death, saying officers were searching the bush to recover his body and arrest the kidnappers.

The statement read, “Further to the kidnap of Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and Seminarian Peter Andrew at the St. Peter Catholic Church, Iviukha, Etsako East LGA, on 03/03/2025, intensive search and rescue operations by police operatives and vigilante members led to the release of the Rev. Father on 13/03/2025 at about 16:52 hrs in Amughe Community.

“Bush combing continues with a view to recover the remains of the seminarian, who regrettably lost his life in the process, as well as to arrest the remaining gang of kidnappers.

“Recall that one suspect was neutralized, and four suspects—Murtala Ibrahim, 32, Joshua Joseph, 31, Sadiq Sheidu, 35, and Sunday Bulus, 28—were arrested on the day of the kidnap.”

A source close to the Catholic Church said Rev. Fr. Ekweli is recovering at an undisclosed hospital.

Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly interested in Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina.

Aina is in the final months of his contract with Nottingham Forest.

The Nigerian international is yet to sign an extension and could leave on a free transfer this summer.

Liverpool and Manchester City are closely monitoring his situation at Forest, according to TBR Football.

The 28-year-old has established himself as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League since arriving at the club on a free transfer two years ago.

Ola Aina made his 50th Premier League appearance for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the 1-0 victory over Manchester City last weekend.

Liverpool are considering him as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who could leave for Real Madrid this summer.

Also, City want him to take the place of Kyle Walker, who is expected to move to AC Milan on a permanent deal in the summer.

…set to establish counter terrorism brigade to combat terrorists

A 3-day meeting of Chiefs of Defence Staff((CDS), from the Economic Countries of West African States(ECOWAS), has ended in Abuja with a promise to establish the ECOWAS Standby Force, ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Brigade, and the strategic rotation of peace support officers.

Chiefs of Defence Staff(CDS), General Christopher Musa, gave the assurance at the closing ceremony of the
43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of chiefs of Defence staff in Abuja.

Gen. Musa, who is also the chairman of ECOWAS committee of chiefs of Defence staff, said the three-day meeting deliberated on fostering security cooperation and forging a unified front against insecurity bedeviling the peace and stability of the region.

The CDS, while noting that the meeting identified some critical vulnerabilities to regional security and demonstrated their firm resolve towards addressing these threats, said the meeting also covered the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force, the consideration of an ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Brigade, and the strategic rotation of peace support officers.

The CDS, said, “As we wrap up the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff, I am delighted to note that this meeting has been most rewarding. Deliberations have been sincere and forthright, with our collective security being accorded the desired priority.

“In the course of our deliberations, we identified critical vulnerabilities to regional security and demonstrated our firm resolve towards addressing these threats. As expected, there were areas of concern between members, but more importantly, there was a firm resolve on the need for collective action.

“This is the spirit of this gathering, which is firmly rooted in a resolute commitment to meeting our primary obligation as members of the armed and defence forces of our respective countries, which is to defend and protect our peoples from harm and insecurities.”

He noted that over the past days, they have deliberated on critical security concerns in the West African subregion.
“Some of these areas include the review of pledges for the ECOWAS Standby Force, consideration of pledges for the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorist Brigade, and the rotation of Staff Officers of Peace Support Operation Divisions and the ECOWAS Standby Force.

“Others were the presentation on the outcome of the Governmental Experts Meeting on the ECOWAS Logistics Concept and Standing Operating Procedures for the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi. The meeting also provided an opportunity to review the report of the last ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff Meeting”.

“It is with great pleasure and honour that I stand before you all to deliver these closing remarks on the occasion of the closing of the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff. Our gathering over the past three days has been geared towards promoting regional security and cooperation within the ECOWAS Community and forging a common front in addressing our security challenges.

“I wish to thank the Chairman of ECOWAS Heads of States and Government, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, for his leadership and support in making this meeting a reality. I also wish to thank the Minister of Defence for his presence and support for this meeting.

“I am indeed grateful to all the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff from Benin Republic, Cape Verde, La Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo who took time out of their busy schedules to grace this meeting. The task ahead of us is daunting, but with our collective resolve, we shall overcome”.