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Security Guard Killed, Three Seminarians Abducted from Nigeria’s Auchi Catholic Diocese

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Auchi
Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Auchi, 11 July, 2025 / 10:48 pm (ACI Africa).

Three Seminarians have been kidnapped in an armed attack on Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Nigeria. Christopher Aweneghieme, a security guard at the Seminary, was killed during the Thursday, July 10 night incident.

In a statement issued Friday, July 11, the Director of Communications of the Nigerian Episcopal See provides details about the attack.

In the statement shared with ACI Africa, Fr. Peter Egielewa says that the 9 p.m. attack on the Catholic institution located in Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State involved “several gunmen”.

“In the process, the Nigerian Civil Defense Security official, Mr Christopher Aweneghieme, stationed at the Seminary was killed, and three Minor Seminarians were abducted and led into the bush,” Fr. Egielewa adds.

The Nigerian Catholic Priests reveals about the relocation of the other Seminarians to what he describes as “a safe area until security measures around the Seminary are tightened.”

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“Unfortunately, no communication has been had with the abductors yet,” the Director of Communications of Auchi Diocese says.

He further says that the leadership of the Nigerian Episcopal See “sympathises with the family of the deceased security official and prays for the repose for his soul”

In his July 11 statement, Fr. Egielewa also appeals for “prayers for the quick release of our Seminarians.”

He says that the Local Ordinary of Auchi Diocese has denounced the attack and called on security agencies to “do more to secure the lives and properties of our people.”

The Communications Diretor adds that Bishop Gabriel Ghiakhomo Dunia has directed all Priests to “celebrate votive Mass of the Precious Blood of Jesus both at the Deanery Levels at 12noon on Saturday 12th July 2025 together with the lay faithful and Parish Priests with their parishioners at their respective parish morning Masses on Monday 14th July 2025.”

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According to fr. Egielewa, Bishop Dunia has also directed all Parish Priests to “ensure the continuous recitation of the Holy Rosary and Sunday evening Benediction for divine protection for all faithful of the Diocese, Edo State and Nigeria until further notice.”

He appeals to all people of goodwill to “join the faithful of the Diocese to pray for the repose of the soul of Mr Christopher Aweneghieme and for the speedy release of the abducted Seminarians unharmed.”

Bishop Dunia, who has been at the helm of Auchi Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in February 2003 established Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in 2006 for the training of future Priests.

Over 500 Minor Seminarians have so far successfully graduated from the Diocesan institution, Fr. Egielewa says in his July 11 statement shared with ACI Africa.

Nigeria has been experiencing insecurity since 2009, when the Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic State.

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Since then, the group, one of the largest Islamist groups in Africa, has been orchestrating indiscriminate terrorist attacks on various targets, including religious and political groups as well as civilians.

The insecurity situation in the country has further been complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia.

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have repeatedly denounced the reported killings and abductions in the West African nation, and challenged the government to prioritize the safeguarding of human life.

Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.