The Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Nigeria is mourning the brutal murder of 21-year-old seminarian Andrew Peter, who was kidnapped along with Fr. Philip Ekweli on 3 March. While Fr. Ekweli was released on 13 March, Andrew Peter’s life was tragically cut short by his abductors.
The Diocese has expressed its condolences to Andrew Peter’s family and has called on the government and security agencies to do more to address the deteriorating security situation in the region. The Bishop of Auchi, Gabriel Dunia, has criticized the police response and the overall security situation, which has allowed kidnappers to operate with impunity.
The murder of Andrew Peter has sent shockwaves across Nigeria, with many taking to social media to express their pain and sense of helplessness. The incident is the latest in a series of kidnappings and murders of Catholic priests, seminarians, and religious women in Nigeria, highlighting the country’s worsening security crisis.