Gunmen kill security officer, abduct 3 seminarians from Catholic Seminary in Nigeria’s Auchi Diocese

Auchi, Edo State : Divine Chidubem – The Catholic Diocese of Auchi has been plunged into mourning after armed assailants stormed the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, on the night of Thursday, 10 July 2025, killing a security officer and abducting three seminarians.

In a statement issued on 11 July by the Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, the Diocese confirmed that,  “At about 9pm on Thursday 10th of July 2025, the Priests and Seminarians of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East LGA of Edo State, were attacked by several gunmen.”

During the attack, the seminary’s Nigerian Civil Defence Corps officer, Mr Christopher Aweneghieme, was shot and killed in the line of duty. The Diocese expressed its sorrow at his death, stating that, “The Diocese sympathises with the family of the deceased security official and prays for the repose for his soul.”

The assailants also abducted three minor seminarians, who were taken into the surrounding bush. “Unfortunately, no communication has been had with the abductors yet,” the statement noted. In the meantime, the remaining seminarians have been “temporarily relocated to a safe area until security measures around the Seminary are tightened.”

The Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Gabriel Dunia, has decried the escalating insecurity and called on the authorities to act decisively. “The Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Gabriel Dunia, has again called on security agencies to do more to secure the lives and properties of our people,” the statement read.

In response to the tragedy, Bishop Dunia has issued spiritual directives across the Diocese. “The Bishop has directed all Priests of the Diocese to celebrate votive Mass of the Precious Blood of Jesus both at the Deanery Levels at 12noon on Saturday 12th July 2025 together with the lay faithful and Parish Priests with their parishioners at their respective parish morning Masses on Monday 14th July 2025,” the statement noted.

“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 Nigeria until further notice,” it added.