A map of Nigeria. / Credit: SevenMaps/Shutterstock
ACI Africa, Jul 14, 2025 / 14:28 pm (CNA).
Three seminarians were kidnapped and a security guard was killed in an armed attack on Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in the Diocese of Auchi in Nigeria on the night of July 10.
In a statement issued July 11, Father Peter Egielewa, the director of communications of the Auchi Diocese, provided details about the attack. He said the 9 p.m. attack on the Catholic institution located in Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo state, involved "several gunmen."
"In the process, the Nigerian Civil Defense Security official, Mr. Christopher Aweneghieme, stationed at the seminary was killed, and three minor seminarians were abducted and led into the bush," Egielewa said.
The other seminarians have been moved to what Egielewa described as "a safe area until security measures around the seminary are tightened."
"Unfortunately, no communication has been had with the abductors yet," he said, adding that the leadership of the diocese "sympathizes with the family of the deceased security official and prays for the repose for his soul."
In his statement, Egielewa also appealed for "prayers for the quick release of our seminarians."
He said the bishop of the Auchi Diocese has denounced the attack and called on security agencies to "do more to secure the lives and properties of our people."
Bishop Gabriel Ghiakhomo Dunia directed all priests of the diocese to celebrate a Votive Mass of the Precious Blood of Jesus on Saturday, July 12, and in morning Masses on Monday, July 14.
According to Egielewa, the bishop has also directed all parish priests to "ensure the continuous recitation of the holy rosary and Sunday evening Benediction for divine protection for all faithful of the diocese, Edo state, and the country of Nigeria until further notice."
He appealed to all people of goodwill to "join the faithful of the diocese to pray for the repose of the soul of Aweneghieme and for the speedy release of the abducted seminarians unharmed."
Dunia, who has been at the helm of the Diocese of Auchi since February 2003, established Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in 2006 for the training of future priests. Over 500 minor seminarians have so far successfully graduated from the institution.
Nigeria has been experiencing insecurity since 2009, when the Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state.
Since then, the group, one of the largest Islamist groups in Africa, has been orchestrating indiscriminate terrorist attacks on various targets, including religious and political groups, as well as civilians.
The insecurity situation in the country has further been complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia.
Members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have repeatedly denounced the reported killings and abductions in the West African nation and challenged the government to prioritize the safeguarding of human life.
This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.
