From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Bishop of the Auchi Diocese of the Catholic Church, Bishop Gabriel Dunia, has called on President Bola Tinubu, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, and all security agencies in the country to rescue two seminarians abducted from the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School, Ivianokpodi, Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state since July 10, 2025.
He made the call in a statement issued in reaction to a viral video in which the teenage seminarians were seen holding suspected human skull and pleading for payment of ransom to secure their release from their abductors, who stood behind them wielding guns.
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“As the chief shepherd of the diocese, I feel personally hurt and disturbed that my seminarians, our children are living with armed strangers for 35 days now. I find it difficult to sleep these days because of this. We have been praying since their kidnap. Again, I call on people everywhere to please pray with us.”
The statement, signed by Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, Director of Communications of the Diocese of Auchi, said coincidentally, since the minor seminary attack, there have been several kidnap cases in Edo North.
“It appears kidnappers in Nigeria have suddenly found a convenient place of operation in Edo North and Edo State. Our people feel frustrated and helpless. We are deeply worried how this abnormality has become normal and it appears our people are just left on their own to continue to live in such environment of perpetual fear and terror. It shouldn’t be. We beg that Edo North be secured so that our people can once again live in peace and safety.
“In the last few days, there has been a viral video on social media of two young children with what appears to be human skull, crying and pleading for their release and surrounded by gun-wielding persons suspected to be their abductors.
“After thorough examination of the said video, it is with deep pain and hurt that we can confirm that the children in the said video are two of the three seminarians kidnapped when gunmen attacked the priests and seminarians of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary.”
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