Catholic Diocese appeals to Tinubu, Okpebholo to secure release of abducted seminarians

By Jethro Ibileke

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Edo State, has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Monday Okpebholo and security agencies to help secure the release two minor seminarians who are presently in the custody of their abductors.

The Director of Communication of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, made The appeal in a statement on Friday.

The victims were abducted at the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ivhianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East local government area of the on the night of Thursday July 10, 2025.

In a recent viral video posted by the kidnappers, the two minors were seen holding human skull and begging that funds should be raised to secure their release.

Egielewa in the statement, said the diocese led by Bishop Gabriel Dunia, has been traumatized since the video surfaced and appealed for the release of the children.

“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 and again I call on people everywhere to please pray with us,” the statement quoted Dunia as saying.

It added that three students were actually kidnapped on the day of the incident after killing the security personnel on duty but the third one was released a few days after because he was injured and went away with the two.

He said during the attack “a personnel of the Nigerian Civil Defense, Mr Christopher Aweneghieme, stationed at the Seminary was killed, and three minor seminarians were abducted and led into the bush.

“However, on the 18th of July 2025, one of the seminarians, who was injured, was released by the abductors, leaving the other two with them. The Diocese of Auchi has been in contact with the kidnappers urging them to release the remaining two seminarians.

“The Bishop of the Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia calls on the president of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo and all security agencies in the country to do the needful and help rescue our children from the hands of the kidnappers.

“Coincidentally, since the minor seminary attack, there have been several kidnap cases in Edo North in particular and Edo State. 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 about how this abnormality has become normal and it appears our people are just left on their own to continue to live in such an 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,”the statement added.

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