Gunmen attack Edo Catholic Seminary, kill NSCDC officer, abduct 3 students

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

The incident, which occurred around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, marks a chilling escalation in attacks on Catholic institutions in the Edo North region.

Confirming the attack, Reverend Father Peter Egielewa, Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, expressed deep sorrow over the growing pattern of violence targeting the church. He described the assault as “deeply disturbing” and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities and religious institutions.

Eyewitnesses report that the armed assailants stormed the seminary premises under the cover of darkness, overpowering the security personnel on duty. The NSCDC officer was fatally shot while attempting to resist the attackers.

“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.