Gunmen Kill NSCDC Officer, Abduct Three Students in Attack on Catholic Seminary

Gunmen Kill NSCDC Officer, Abduct Three Students in Attack on Catholic Seminary

Gunmen attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State late Thursday night, killing an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and abducting three students. The officer was attached to the seminary as part of its security detail.

The incident, which occurred around 9 p.m., marks the second major attack on the Catholic institution in just ten months. In a previous incident, a Catholic priest was kidnapped and another person killed.

The Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, confirmed the latest attack and expressed concern over the continued targeting of the seminary and its staff. He reported that, in addition to the NSCDC officer who was killed, a member of the local vigilante group also sustained gunshot wounds during the ambush.

Egielewa called on government authorities at all levels to take decisive action to protect Catholic institutions and their personnel. “We hope the security agencies at the local, state, and federal levels will take up the responsibility so our people can live in peace and safety,” he said.

The seminary and the surrounding community remain tense as security operatives intensify efforts to locate the abducted students and bring the attackers to justice.