Terror struck the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi, Edo State, on Wednesday night as heavily armed gunmen launched a brazen attack, killing an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and abducting three students.
The assault, which occurred at around 9:00 p.m., has thrown the Catholic Diocese of Auchi and the wider community into mourning and fear. Confirming the incident, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, spokesperson for the Diocese, described the attack as yet another dark episode in a disturbing pattern of violence targeting Catholic institutions in the region.
“We are deeply saddened and strongly condemn this violent act. This is the second time our seminary has been attacked within ten months. A priest was kidnapped in the previous incident, and now we are faced with the abduction of three young seminarians, the murder of a civil defence officer, and injury to a local vigilante,” Fr. Egielewa said.
The latest incident has intensified concerns about growing insecurity in Edo State, especially within educational and religious institutions. Fr. Egielewa called on both the state and federal governments to take immediate and decisive action to protect schools, churches, and clergy who are increasingly being targeted by criminal elements.
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The priest also urged security agencies to treat this as a wake-up call and prioritize the safety of vulnerable communities. “Our schools and religious centres must never become war zones. We need urgent intervention to restore peace and protect lives,” he added.
The identities of the kidnapped students have not yet been disclosed, but sources within the seminary confirmed that families and church leaders are in deep distress. As the community awaits updates from security operatives, tension continues to mount over the fate of the abducted students.
This latest attack further underscores the deteriorating security situation in parts of Nigeria, where kidnappings and attacks on educational institutions have become alarmingly frequent. As calls for justice grow louder, the nation watches closely to see if authorities will rise to the challenge and bring the perpetrators to book.
The Catholic community in Edo, reeling from the shock, is demanding answers, action, and above all, protection.
