Gunmen Kill NSCDC Officer, Abduct 3 Seminarians In Edo

Gunmen on Thursday night invaded the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, killing a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer and abducting three seminarians.

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday.

The Diocese’s Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, said the attackers struck around 9pm and operated in large numbers.

According to Egielewa, the assailants killed Mr. Christopher Aweneghieme, an NSCDC official stationed at the Seminary, before abducting three minor seminarians whom they led into the bush.

“The Catholic Diocese of Auchi announces that at about 9pm on Thursday 10 July 2025, the Priests and Seminarians of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East LGA of Edo State, were attacked by several gunmen.

“In the process, the Nigerian Civil Defence Security official, Mr Christopher Aweneghieme, stationed at the Seminary was killed, and three minor seminarians were abducted and led into the bush.

“At this moment, the other seminarians have been temporarily relocated to a safe area until security measures around the Seminary are tightened,” he said.

As of Friday evening, the Diocese reported that the abductors had not made contact and the location of the kidnapped seminarians remained unknown.

“Unfortunately, no communication has been had with the abductors yet.

“The Diocese sympathises with the family of the deceased security official and prays for the repose of his soul while calling for prayers for the quick release of our seminarians,” the statement read.

In response to the attack, the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Gabriel Dunia, urged security agencies to intensify efforts in protecting lives and properties across the country.

Egielewa said the Bishop directed all priests in the Diocese to observe a votive Mass of the Precious Blood of Jesus at the Deanery levels by noon on Saturday, July 12, 2025, with participation from lay faithful.

He further noted that Parish Priests across Nigeria have been asked to celebrate the same votive Mass at their parishes on Monday, July 14, 2025.

“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,” he added.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, for comments were unsuccessful.

Gunmen Kill NSCDC Officer, Abduct 3 Seminarians In Edo is first published on The Whistler Newspaper