Nigeria: Three seminarians kidnapped

Bishop Dunia

Source: Fides, Diocese of Auchi

A security officer was killed and three seminarians were kidnapped in an armed attack on the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Edo State, Nigeria last Thursday.

The Diocese of Auchi said in a statement that the kidnapping occurred shortly after 9pm. Bishop Gabriel Dunia expressed his grief over the death of Nigerian Civil Defense Corps officer, Christopher Aweneghieme.

At the time the statement was released the Diocese said no contact had been established with the kidnappers.

Fides reports that police officers investigating the incident described it as "not only barbaric, but also a direct attack on public peace and security" and a "senseless act of violence against a religious institution and innocent young students". The other seminarians have since been temporarily moved to a safer area until the adequate security measures are put in place at the seminary.

Bishop Dunia requested that the Mass of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus be celebrated in all parishes these days to pray for God to enlighten the hearts and minds of the kidnappers.

This is the second time in less than a year that this seminary has been attacked. In October 2024, armed gunmen stormed the seminary's chapel and kidnapped the institution's rector, Father Thomas Oyode. He was freed on November 7, after 11 days in captivity.

In the past decade, the Catholic Church in Nigeria has seen an alarming rise in the number of abductions targeting priests, seminarians and other religious personnel. In March 2025 Fides released a report indicating that between 2015 and 2025 a total of 145 priests were abducted of which 11 were killed.