Abducted seminarians appeal for assistance to pay ransom

Friday, August 15, 2025 - Two Teenagers of the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School at Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, abducted by suspected kidnappers have appealed for financial assistance to pay ransom demanded from them.

In a viral video reportedly released on the social media by the kidnappers, the seminarians were seen with human skulls appealing for financial assistance from their parents and members of the public to pay for their freedom.

They stated that the abductors had threatened to kill them if they failed to pay the ransom.

The victims said they do not want to die because of the inability to pay the undisclosed sum of ransom demanded by the kidnappers.

3 kidnapped victims in Auchi in Etsako West Local Government Area who regained freedom on Monday, August 11, 2025 after the payment of N75 million had earlier made similar appeal through viral video to source for funds for ransom.

The two teenagers who were surrounded by masked gun-wielding abductors had also made viral the video made on them with human skulls on social media.

It was gathered that three teenage seminarians were among the earlier abducted persons at the College.

During the operation which took place on July 10, 2025 a Civil Defense Corps officer attached to the school was killed.

It was further learnt that while one of the abductees was released, the two others have remained in the kidnappers’ den ever since.

Confirming the authenticity of the viral video, the spokesperson of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr Peter Egielewa, said “the video you see with the two teenagers holding human skull is real. We are negotiating with the kidnappers.

“But they are asking for money which we do not have and I think it’s out of frustration they did that video,”he added.

Speaking during a visit to the school, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr Monday Agbonika, had ordered the immediate deployment of tactical teams to apprehend the abductors and rescue the seminarians unhurt.

Agbonika had also assured that the operatives of the command would not relent until those behind the reprehensible act are tracked down and made to face the full wrath of the law.