The Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Gabriel Dunia, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, and security agencies to expedite the rescue of two abducted seminarians whose plight was recently shown in a viral video.
In a Thursday statement signed by the Diocese’s Director of Communications, Reverend Peter Egielewa, Bishop Dunia expressed deep distress that the seminarians had been in captivity for 35 days. He urged Nigerians to join in prayer for their safe return.
The video, which has drawn public outrage, shows two boys holding what appears to be a human skull while surrounded by armed men, pleading for their release. The church confirmed they are among three seminarians kidnapped when gunmen attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi-Agenebode, Etsako East LGA, Edo State, on July 10, 2025.
“As the chief shepherd of the Diocese, I feel personally hurt and disturbed that my seminarians, our children, have been living with armed strangers for 35 days now. I find it difficult to sleep these days because of this,” the Bishop said.