The Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Gabriel Dunia, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and security agencies to urgently secure the release of two abducted seminarians whose harrowing ordeal was recently captured in a viral video.
In a statement signed by the Diocese’s Director of Communications, Revd Peter Egielewa, Bishop Dunia expressed deep distress that the seminarians had been held by armed kidnappers for 35 days.
He called for nationwide prayers and decisive action to bring the victims home.
“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,” the priest said.
“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 viral video showed two young boys clutching what appeared to be a human skull, crying, and pleading for their release while surrounded by gunmen.
The church confirmed the boys are two of the three seminarians abducted on July 10, 2025, when gunmen attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi-Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
One of the boys, who sustained injuries, was freed on July 18, 2025, leaving the other two in captivity.
Since the incident, the Diocese has maintained contact with the abductors in efforts to negotiate their release.
Bishop Dunia condemned the worsening security situation in Edo North and the wider 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 living in 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,” he said.
The bishop urged President Tinubu, Governor Okpebholo, and security agencies to “do the needful and help rescue our children from the hands of the kidnappers.”
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