Two teenage students of the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, have appeared in a disturbing viral video pleading for help to raise ransom money for their release.
The teenagers, who were abducted by suspected kidnappers on July 10, 2025, were seen in the video holding human skulls and surrounded by masked, gun-carrying captors. In the video, the boys appealed to their parents and the public for financial assistance, saying their abductors have threatened to kill them if ransom is not paid.
“We don’t want to die,” one of the boys said tearfully, calling on Nigerians to come to their rescue.
Reports say the kidnappers have demanded an undisclosed amount as ransom. A third seminarian taken during the same attack was earlier released, but the two boys remain in captivity. During the raid on the seminary, a Civil Defence Corps officer attached to the school was killed.
Speaking on the situation, the spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr Peter Egielewa, confirmed the authenticity of the video.
“Yes, the video you see with the two teenagers holding human skulls is real. We are negotiating with the kidnappers. But they are asking for money we don’t have, and I think out of frustration, they made the video,” he said.
This incident comes shortly after another group of kidnap victims from Auchi, who were released on August 11 after paying N75 million in ransom, also appeared in a similar viral video begging for help.
Kidnapping for ransom has continued to rise in parts of Edo State and across Nigeria, with schools and students increasingly becoming targets.
