Tragedy has again rocked the Catholic community in Edo State as gunmen attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area, killing a security officer and abducting three seminarians.
The attack, which occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, claimed the life of an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the seminary, while a local vigilante sustained gunshot injuries during the assault.
This latest incident comes just ten months after another Catholic facility in the same area was attacked, during which a priest and another individual were kidnapped, and one person was killed.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Friday, the Director of Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr Peter Egielewa, expressed deep concern over the repeated targeting of Catholic institutions in the region.
Egielewa said: “This is the second time in 10 months that the school has been attacked.
“Ten months ago, a priest was kidnapped. And now, three seminarians have been abducted and a Civil Defence Corps member has been killed, while a local vigilante is nursing gun injuries.”
He condemned the persistent attacks on Catholic personnel and facilities, describing them as “one too many,” and called for urgent government intervention.
“We call on the government to protect the lives of all those who work in Catholic institutions and our diocese.
“We hope the security agencies at the local, state, and federal levels will take up the responsibility, so our people can be in peace and safety,” he stated.
The Edo State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
