Bishop calls out Nigerian government’s inaction after seminary attacked for second time

A Nigerian bishop has accused the government of failing to take “concrete action” after gunmen attacked his seminary for the second time in less than a year, this time killing a security guard and kidnapping three teenage students.

The latest assault occurred last week at the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Edo State, located in central southern Nigeria.

Bishop Gabriel Dunia of Auchi Diocese told the charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that a large group of armed men stormed the seminary, and security personnel were unable to stop them. During the attack, Christopher Aweneghieme, a member of the Civil Defence Corps assigned to protect the seminary, was killed.

Three seminarians, aged between 14 and 17, were abducted. Bishop Dunia called on the government to take action and provide adequate security for the area.

“We are appealing to the civilian government to visit the site. They promised to offer protection, but no tangible steps have been taken so far,” he said. “We are urging everyone—individuals, groups, anyone—to help us. Pray for us, support us in any way you can—spiritually, materially, or otherwise—because our local efforts can no longer cope with the insecurity.”

The bishop noted that while the Church is in contact with the kidnappers through mediators, it remains committed to its policy of not paying ransoms, to avoid encouraging further abductions.

As a safety precaution, the entire seminary community has been relocated to nearby parishes. Plans are underway to strengthen security on the seminary grounds, including the construction of a protective fence.

This marks the second attack on the seminary within ten months. In October 2024, gunmen stormed the chapel and abducted the rector, Fr. Thomas Oyode, who was later released after eleven days in captivity.

In a separate incident within the same diocese, seminarian Andrew Peter, 21, was killed in March 2025 after he and Fr. Philip Ekweli were kidnapped from St. Peter’s Church. The priest was eventually freed after ten days.

According to Bishop Dunia, the attackers are believed to be Fulani men from northern Nigeria. He expressed concern that the violence may be part of a broader effort to displace Christian communities or seize land.

“We’re not even certain of their exact motives,” the bishop said, “but what is becoming clear is a disturbing pattern of attacks specifically targeting Christian institutions and communities.”