Gunmen Kill NSCDC Officer, Kidnap Three Seminarians in Edo Catholic Seminary Attack
written | July 11, 2025 | By Okafor Joseph
Gunmen Kill NSCDC Personnel, Abduct Three Seminarians in Fresh Attack on Edo Catholic Seminary
Tragedy struck again in Edo State as armed gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, killed an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and abducted three Catholic seminarians at the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ivianokpodi, Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area.
Sources confirmed to DAILY POST that a local vigilante also sustained gunshot wounds during the violent attack, which occurred around 9 p.m. on Thursday night, July 10, 2025.
Reverend Father Peter Egielewa, Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, confirmed the incident in a statement to journalists on Friday. He condemned the persistent attacks on Catholic institutions in the region, describing the latest assault as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”
According to Egielewa, this is the second attack on the seminary in less than a year. “About 10 months ago, a priest was kidnapped here. Now, three seminarians have been abducted, an NSCDC personnel attached to the school has been killed, and a local vigilante is battling gun injuries,” he said.
He appealed to the federal, state, and local governments to urgently strengthen security around Catholic institutions and communities in Edo State to safeguard priests, seminarians, students, and staff.
Rising Wave of Abductions in Etsako East
A community source who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that kidnappings in the area are on the rise. Just last month, two brothers were abducted and their family forced to pay a ransom of N35 million. Despite paying, the kidnappers allegedly demanded an extra N6 million before releasing the victims.
we also recalls a related incident earlier this year: on March 3, 2025, gunmen kidnapped Rev. Father Philip Ekeli and Seminarian Peter Andrew of St. Peter Catholic Church, Iviukha. Tragically, the seminarian was killed by the abductors while Rev. Fr. Ekeli was released on March 13, 2025, reportedly after a ransom was paid.
Residents have repeatedly called on security agencies to step up efforts to tackle banditry, kidnapping, and targeted attacks on schools and religious institutions in the region.
