By Jethro Ibileke
Unknown gunmen again attacked the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School, Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, and kidnapped three students in the process.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday night at about 9 pm.
The daredevil hoodlums who unleashed terror, killed an operative of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), attached to the school, and injured a local vigilante before taking the students into their custody.
Confirming the incident, the Director of Social Communications of Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr Peter Egielewa, who confirmed the incident, noted that the latest incident would be the second in 10 months.
He expressed displeasure over the persistent attacks on the Catholic schools, personnel and facilities.
“This is the second time in 10 months that the school has been attacked. 10 months ago, a priest was kidnapped. And now three seminarians were abducted and a Civil Defence Corps member was killed, while a local vigilante sustained gun injuries.
“We call on the government to protect the lives of all those who work in Catholic institutions and our Diocese.
“We hope the security agencies at the local, state and federal levels to take up the responsibility on that, so our people can be in peace and safety,” Egielewa said.
A source in the community who asked not to be named said that some gunmen also kidnapped two brothers in the area late last month and collected a ransom of ₦36 million.
“They refused to release the victims after the ransom payment and demanded additional ₦6 million from the family,” he alleged.
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