Bishop Accuses Nigerian Government of Inaction After Second Attack on Seminary

A Nigerian bishop has condemned the government’s inaction after armed men killed a guard and kidnapped three teens during a second attack on a Catholic seminary in Edo State.

A Nigerian bishop has strongly criticized the government’s failure to respond adequately after a violent second attack on a Catholic seminary in Edo State, where armed men killed a security guard and abducted three teenage students.

The assault took place at Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in central southern Nigeria, marking the second such incident in less than ten months.

Bishop Gabriel Dunia of Auchi Diocese spoke to the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), stating that a large group of heavily armed assailants stormed the seminary grounds, overpowering the security presence.

Christopher Aweneghieme, a member of the Civil Defence Corps assigned to protect the premises, was fatally shot during the attack. The bishop confirmed that three seminarians, aged between 14 and 17, were kidnapped.

“We are calling on the civilian government to come and secure the site,” Bishop Dunia said. “They gave their assurance to protect us, but no concrete action has followed. Our efforts alone are not enough—we are overwhelmed.”

He urged people everywhere to assist in whatever way they can—through prayer, donations, or other means—to help curb the worsening security crisis.

The bishop also revealed that the Church is currently communicating with the kidnappers through mediators. However, as a matter of principle, Church authorities do not pay ransoms, believing it only fuels further abductions.

In the wake of the attack, the entire seminary community has been temporarily relocated to nearby parishes. Plans are underway to enhance security on the seminary grounds, including the construction of a perimeter fence.

This is not the first time the seminary has faced violence. In October 2024, gunmen attacked the chapel and abducted the rector, Fr. Thomas Oyode, who was held for eleven days before being released.

Tragically, earlier this year, in March 2025, seminarian Andrew Peter, 21, was killed after he and Fr. Philip Ekweli were kidnapped from St. Peter’s Church. Fr. Ekweli was later freed after ten days in captivity.

Bishop Dunia suspects the attackers are from the Fulani ethnic group, reportedly originating from northern Nigeria.

“We still don’t fully understand their demands,” he said. “But what’s clear is a disturbing rise in attacks specifically targeting Christian communities and institutions.”

He voiced concerns that the intent behind these repeated assaults may be to displace Christians from their land or assert territorial dominance.