Unknown Gunmen on Wednesday night stormed the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, killing an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and abducting three seminarians.
The attack, which occurred around 9:00 p.m., also left a local vigilante injured by gunfire. Confirming the tragic incident, the Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, lamented the recurring assaults on the institution, describing the violence as “deeply troubling and completely unacceptable.”
“This is the second time in 10 months that the seminary has been attacked. The last time, a priest was kidnapped. Now, three of our seminarians have been abducted, a civil defence officer was killed, and a vigilante was wounded,” Egielewa said.
He added that the diocese strongly condemns the act and called on the government at all levels to ensure the safety of church workers and institutions. “We urge security agencies — local, state, and federal — to act swiftly and decisively. Our people deserve peace and protection,” he appealed.
The Catholic community and residents of the area have been thrown into fear following the repeated targeting of the religious school.
(NAN)