Gunmen have attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, killing a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer and abducting three students.
The assault occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, this marked the second attack on the seminary in just 10 months.
Fr. Egielewa expressed deep concerns over the repeated targeting of the Catholic institution, condemning the violence as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”
“Ten months ago, a priest was kidnapped. Now, three seminarians have been abducted, an NSCDC officer has been killed, and a vigilante sustained gunshot injuries,” he said.
He urged government authorities at all levels to take urgent action to protect staff and students in Catholic institutions.
“We call on security agencies—local, state, and federal—to rise to the occasion and ensure our people can live in peace and safety,” he was quoted to have said.
