
Bishop Gabriel Dunia
The Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Edo State has cried out to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Monday Okpebholo and security agencies to help rescue from captivity two seminarians of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi-Agenebode, Etsako East local government area of who were kidnapped 35 days ago.
In a recent viral video, the two minors, between the ages of 14 and 17 years who were abducted on the night of Thursday July 10, 2025, were seen holding what looked like a human skull and begging that the demanded ransom be raised for their release.
Dr. Gabriel Dunia, Bishop of the Diocese, lamented in a press release signed by the Director of Communication, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa that that the Church had been traumatised since the video surfaced and appealed for the release of the children.
Bishop Dunia said, “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 explained that three students were actually kidnapped on the day of the incident during which the security personnel on duty was killed but the third student was released a few days after because he was injured while the other two had remained in captivity.
Giving an account of what happened on the fateful day, the statement said “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 Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary was established by the Catholic Bishop of Auchi in 2006 for the training of future priests. Over 500 students have so far successfully graduated from the church institution.