Gunmen attack Catholic church, kill one, abduct three

DDM NEWS

Bandits

Gunmen attacked the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, killing an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and abducting three students.

The incident occurred around 9 pm on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. During the attack, a local vigilante attached to the school sustained gunshot injuries.

The attack took place at the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

One NSCDC officer was killed, and a local vigilante was injured.

Three students were abducted by the gunmen

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi condemned the attack in the strongest terms, describing it as a deeply disturbing act of violence.

The diocese called on the government to provide adequate protection for the lives of students, workers, and personnel of the Catholic institution.

This is the second time in 10 months that the school has been attacked.

A priest was kidnapped 10 months ago, and now three seminarians have been abducted .

Confirming the incident, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, said this was the second time in 10 months that the school had come under attack.

He said the diocese strongly condemned the incident and expressed deep concern over the repeated targeting of the catholic institution, its personnel, and facilities.

“We are deeply saddened and condemn in the strongest terms this act of violence,” Egielewa said, describing the persistent attacks as troubling and unacceptable.

“This is the second time in 10 months that the school has been attacked. Ten month ago, a priest was kidnapped.

“And now three seminarians were abducted and a civil defense corps is killed, while a local vigilante sustained gun injuries.

“We call on the government to protect the lives of all those who work in catholic institution and our diocese.

“We hope the security agencies at the local, state and federal level to take up the responsibility on that, so our people can be in peace and safety,” Egielewa said.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook