Again, gunmen attack Catholic seminary in Edo, kill NSCDC officer, abduct 3 students

A deadly attack on the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, has left a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer dead and three students kidnapped.

The assault occurred around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, marks a disturbing escalation in violence targeting Catholic institutions in Edo North.

Reverend Father Peter Egielewa, Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, confirmed the incident and decried what he described as a pattern of targeted violence against the church.

“We are deeply saddened and condemn in the strongest terms this act of violence,” Egielewa said, describing the persistent attacks as troubling and unacceptable.

He noted that this is not the first time the seminary has been attacked.

“This is the second time in 10 months that the school has been attacked. Ten month ago, a priest was kidnapped.

“And now three seminarians were abducted and a civil defence corps is killed, while a local vigilante sustained gun injuries.

“We call on the government to protect the lives of all those who work in catholic institution and our diocese.

“We hope the security agencies at the local, state and federal level to take up the responsibility on that, so our people can be in peace and safety,” Egielewa said.

As of press time, authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the attack or efforts underway to rescue the abducted students.