Minor Seminarians Kidnapped from Nigeria’s Auchi Diocese Endured Months of Torture Despite Pleas with Abductors: Bishop

Auchi, 15 November, 2025 / 11:35 PM

Three minor Seminarians who were abducted in July during an armed attack on Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Auchi endured months of starvation, torture, and other inhumane treatment in captivity, the Local Ordinary has told ACI Africa.

In the Friday, November 14 interview, Bishop Gabriel Ghiakhomo Dunia recounted the July 10 abduction and torture of Seminarians Japhet Jesse, Joshua Aleobua, and Emmanuel Alabi – an ordeal that ended with the release of Japhet and Joshua but the killing of Emmanuel.

“They kept moving them around. It was a very tricky, shameless, and devilish behavior. We did not expect the children to be with them for more than two weeks, but it went on and on,” Bishop Dunia told ACI Africa.

He said that the three Seminarians were abducted while on training and were held in captivity for months as the kidnappers moved them from one hideout to another across several locations in Nigeria’s Kogi and Edo States. 

“Initially, there were three of them. We appealed that they should release them; they are children from very humble backgrounds, not children of rich people,” the Nigerian Catholic Bishop recounted.

He recalled that one of the Seminarians, Japhet Jesse, a son of a military officer, was the first to be released after being shot in the knee by the abductors.

“They released the one who was injured after stray bullets entered his knee. He was treated at the hospital before we asked his relatives to collect him,” Bishop Dunia recounted. 

Joshua and Emmanuel, he went on to recount, “were kept in captivity as the kidnappers demanded ransom and continued to change locations. They moved them from our area to Okene, from Okene to Lokoja, and towards the Murtala Bridge and Kaba area, places that were not familiar to us.”

Bishop Dunia recalled that the abductors repeatedly delayed the release of the Seminarians despite receiving payments and noted that Seminarian Emmanuel lost his life in the course of the ordeal.

Explaining the circumstances of Emmanuel’s death, the 68-year-old Catholic Bishop said, “Joshua told me that Emmanuel could not move, that he used to carry him until he could no longer continue. They left him under a tree and moved on.”

Still referring to Joshua’s testimony, the Local Ordinary of Auchi Diocese recalled, “Joshua said Emmanuel was not eating, that he kept saying he would not eat until he saw his brother. Eventually, he got tired.”

Bishop Dunia said medical doctors later confirmed that Emmanuel likely died from exhaustion rather than starvation. “The one who survived was also in critical condition. The doctors told me that if he had spent a few more days, he would have died too,” he said.

“They did blood transfusions, and now he has regenerated,” Bishop Dunia added.

The rescued Seminarian is currently living with Bishop Dunia for medical care, psychological support, and long-term debriefing, he said, and went on to denounce the cruelty of the kidnappers, noting that the young Seminarians were forced to eat raw food in the forest.

“They were eating raw cassava and corn just to survive. I don’t know how any human being can treat little children that way,” he lamented.

The Nigerian Catholic Church leader also disclosed that the parents of one of the Seminarians complicated the situation by frequently contacting the kidnappers directly, which interfered with negotiations.

“They kept calling the kidnappers even when they were told to stop, which complicated the whole situation and made it drag longer than necessary because the kidnappers were given the impression that they had money to give them,” he recalled. 

Following the tragedy, the Diocese has relocated the remaining Seminarians from the troubled area.

“We moved them immediately from the area to the Pastoral Centre in Auchi, and they will continue their studies there. In fact, despite the situation, many children are developing an interest in becoming Seminarians. We expect more intakes this year,” Bishop Dunia said. 

In the November 14 interview, the Local Ordinary of Auchi also decried Nigeria’s rising insecurity, faulting government inaction for the suffering of innocent citizens. He urged the Nigerian government to prioritize human life over political ambitions.

“If people are not safe, what are you doing with your resources and offices? The government should use every means within its power to stop these killings instead of focusing on the 2027 elections. Life must be saved before resources can be useful,” he said.

Bishop Dunia also called for foreign assistance to help Nigeria tackle insecurity, saying, “The government should be humble enough to ask for help if they cannot do it alone.

He continued, “If they continue to keep quiet for political reasons, Nigeria will become more endangered. The Nigerian government should not be ashamed to seek foreign help to tackle insecurity if otherwise, Nigeria is going to be more scattered, and only God knows what will be the result at the end.”

Bishop Dunia urged the people of God in his Episcopal See and communities to remain vigilant, saying, “People should not be careless with their lives by moving alone in dangerous areas.”

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“Fear is a great weapon that kills. Our people should stand together and defend themselves so they will not die of fear. May God restore peace in our homes, peace in our land, and peace in our nation,” the Catholic Church leader implored.