From Moshood Karim
A fresh wave of insecurity has hit Edo State as suspected kidnappers stormed the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area, killing a security operative and abducting three students.
The attack, which occurred on Thursday night at around 9:00 p.m., saw the armed assailants open fire within the seminary premises. An operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), attached to the school, was shot dead in the raid, while a local vigilante sustained gunshot injuries.
Confirming the incident, the Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, expressed deep concern over the repeated targeting of Catholic institutions and personnel in the area. He revealed that this was the second such attack on the seminary in less than a year.
“This is the second time in ten months that the school has been attacked,” Fr. Egielewa said. “Ten months ago, a Catholic priest was kidnapped. Now, three seminarians have been abducted, an NSCDC officer has been killed, and a vigilante injured. It is unacceptable.”
The clergyman appealed to all tiers of government to take urgent and decisive action to safeguard lives and property in religious institutions.
“We call on the government to protect the lives of all those who work in Catholic institutions and across our Diocese. We hope security agencies at the local, state and federal levels take up this responsibility, so our people can live in peace and safety,” he said.
A resident of the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack was the latest in a troubling string of violent kidnappings in the region. According to the source, two brothers were abducted nearby last month. Despite their family paying a ransom of ₦36 million, the captors allegedly demanded an additional ₦6 million before releasing them.
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