The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has described the second deadly attack on the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, as “an unforgivable failure of leadership” and “a shameful indictment on Nigeria’s security architecture.”
The group, in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, decried the inability of the police and other security agencies to prevent the latest assault, despite a similar attack on the same Catholic institution in 2024.
“This kind of repeated violence on a seminary, a place of religious training and peace, exposes the disgraceful lack of preparedness and coordination of security operatives in Edo State,” Onwubiko said.
“The absence of leadership is glaring. The entire security and intelligence architectures have once again failed the people they swore to protect.”
The latest incident occurred on Thursday night, around 9:00 p.m., when heavily armed gunmen stormed the seminary premises from three directions, catching residents off guard, according to reports.
In the ensuing chaos, seminarians and priests fled in various directions. Tragically, a security officer, Mr. Christopher Aweneghieme of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was killed, and three seminarians were abducted.
The seminary, which is under the jurisdiction of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, had previously suffered a similar attack in October 2024.
That incident led to the abduction of the Rector, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, who was later released traumatised. A seminarian was also reportedly killed during that earlier attack.
Confirming the new attack, the Director of Communications for the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, said the community is heartbroken and living in fear.
“This is the second time the seminary has been attacked in less than a year,” he said.
“This time, three seminarians were abducted and one civil defence officer was killed. It is a heartbreaking situation.”
The Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, appealed for public prayers for the safe return of the abducted seminarians and for the repose of the soul of Mr. Aweneghieme. He also called on the government to act with urgency.
“This is not just an attack on the Church; it is an attack on the soul of the nation,” Bishop Dunia said. “We need urgent intervention before more blood is spilled.”
HURIWA however lambasted the security forces for focusing more on protecting politicians and elites than on ordinary citizens.
It accused Edo security agencies of being distracted by political celebrations following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s election.
“It would seem that the security operatives focused so much on joining in the celebration of the Supreme Court’s victory of the Edo State governor on Thursday to the extent that the security of lives and property of the citizens became secondary,” Onwubiko stated.
“The security of the citizens is the primary constitutional duty of the politicians holding political offices. The forests of Edo State must not be allowed to become safe havens for terrorists and armed bandits masquerading as herders,” he added.
HURIWA urged the governor of Edo State to prioritize citizens’ safety and deploy advanced surveillance, crime-fighting technologies, and community-based policing strategies to prevent further tragedies.
The group emphasized the need for sweeping military and intelligence operations in the state’s forest regions where criminal gangs are believed to be operating.
“We propose that security should be beefed up around schools and religious institutions to protect citizens from these frequent bloodsheds.
“This attack and the killing of a civil defence officer are acts of terrorism,” Onwubiko declared.
“We challenge the security forces in Edo State to rapidly free these hostages, arrest the perpetrators, and ensure that the Edo State Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary enforce prosecution and sentencing of these terrorists.”
Local vigilante groups reportedly began pursuing the attackers before the police arrived. The Edo State Police Command has since deployed reinforcements and launched a manhunt to rescue the abducted seminarians.
The Commissioner of Police visited the scene Friday morning and assured that no effort would be spared to bring the criminals to justice.
“We understand the pain this community is going through. The command is fully mobilized and committed to rescuing the victims and restoring calm,” the commissioner had said.
