*As gunmen attack seminary in Edo, kill NSCDC officer, abduct 3 students
The Catholic Bishop of Abuchi Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, has called in the federal government to rise up to the occasion of protecting lives and property of Nigerians, and their institutions as directed in the 1999 Constitution.
The Bishop made the passionate appeal on Friday, while reacting to the killing of an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who was killed when gunmen attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, a training institution for priests of the Catholic Diocese.
Three students of the seminary were also reportedly abducted during the attack, which occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
Confirming the incident, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, in a statement stated that it was the second time in 10 months that the Seminary had come under attack.
He stated that after Friday’s ugly incident, all the students were immediately evacuated by the Church to a safer temporary place, pending the restoration of security by the government.
According to the statement, “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.
“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, describing the persistent attacks as troubling and unacceptable.
