Tension has gripped the Ivianokpodi community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State after gunmen attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary on Thursday night, killing an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and kidnapping three students.
The attack, which happened around 9:00 p.m., has raised fresh concerns over the security of schools and religious institutions in the state.
Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, confirmed the incident and condemned what he described as repeated attacks on Catholic facilities in the area. He recalled that just ten months ago, a priest was kidnapped from the same seminary.
“A civil defence officer was killed, three seminarians were taken, and a local vigilante member was shot and injured,” Fr. Egielewa stated.
He appealed to the government and security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the students and protect church institutions from further attacks.
Residents of the area are calling for stronger security presence, especially in remote communities vulnerable to banditry and kidnappings. As of the time of this report, security forces have launched a manhunt for the attackers.