- As Catholic Seminary in Uromi comes under second attack in 10 Months, NSCDC officer killed, five abducted
The governor of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, is facing rising outrage sequel to reports that his administration paid N6 billion in compensation to the families of Hausa/Fulani hunters lynched in Uromi in April 2025, even as deadly attacks by suspected herdsmen continue to plague the state.
According to Standard Daily Press, the latest incident occurred on Thursday night at the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly killed an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and abducted five individuals, including three seminarians.
The Catholic Diocese of Auchi confirmed the attack in a statement released on Saturday.
According to Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, the Diocese’s Director of Social Communications, this marks the second time in 10 months that the seminary has been attacked. He said the Diocese strongly condemned the latest violence and expressed grave concern over the repeated targeting of Catholic institutions, their personnel, and facilities.
Public criticism has intensified over what many perceive as misplaced priorities by the state government, with citizens questioning why such a large sum was disbursed as compensation while insecurity remains rampant and unaddressed in several parts of Edo.
Egielewa said the Diocese strongly condemned the attack and voiced deep concern over the continued targeting of the Catholic institution, its staff, and facilities.
“We are deeply saddened and condemn in the strongest terms this act of violence,” Egielewa said.
He condemned the frequent assaults, characterising them as deeply concerning and wholly intolerable.
“This is the second time in 10 months that the school has been attacked. Ten 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,” he stated
“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 will take up the responsibility for that so our people can be at peace and in safety.”
On October 27, 2024, gunmen stormed the seminary during evening prayers and benediction, abducting the rector, Thomas Oyode.
According to Standard Daily Press, sources within the Kano State Government House confirmed that N6 billion was paid as compensation to the families of the 16 hunters lynched in Uromi.
The report added that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s swift decision to approve the compensation—without offering similar support to families of Edo indigenes killed in ongoing attacks—has sparked outrage and accusations of bias across the state.
Meanwhile, the state government in April denied paying N6 billion as compensation to the families of Uromi victims.
A conflict resolution expert criticised the governor’s approach, describing it as a compromised and unbalanced strategy for addressing the crisis.
“Governor Okpebholo has to wake up and double down on the fight against insecurity before the entire state is consumed,” Mr. Joel Atanegbe said.
In late March 2025, a disturbing incident unfolded in Uromi, a town in Edo State. Sixteen northerners said to be hunters, and travelling from Port Harcourt to Kano for the Sallah celebration, were intercepted by a local vigilante group in the Udune Efandion area of Uromi.
The group, upon discovering Dane guns—traditional hunting weapons—suspected the travellers of being kidnappers. What followed was a horrifying act of mob violence: the hunters were lynched and set ablaze, their truck torched, and the community thrown into shock.
The killings sparked nationwide outrage, drawing condemnation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, human rights organisations, and political leaders across the country.
The Edo State Police Command swiftly arrested 14 suspects, and investigations were launched to bring all perpetrators to justice.
In response, Governor Okpebholo suspended all illegal vigilante groups operating in the state and relieved the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP Friday Ibadin (Rtd.), of his duties. Determined to show solidarity and remorse, Okpebholo travelled to Torankawa village in Kano State, the hometown of most of the victims. Accompanied by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, he met with grieving families, community leaders, and religious figures.
During the visit, Governor Okpebholo pledged compensation for the victims’ families and assured them that justice would be swift and thorough.
”We are making arrangements to provide compensation to all the victims affected by this incident,” he said.
In April, the Edo State Government strongly condemned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for alleging that Governor Monday Okpebholo paid N6 billion in compensation to the families of the 16 lynched Uromi hunters.
In an earlier statement, IPOB had accused the governor of disbursing the funds as a means to forestall possible reprisals.
Responding through a press release, the state government dismissed the claims as fictitious, malicious, and deliberately misleading.
Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, clarified that no such compensation had been approved or paid by the state government to any group.
He said: “No compensation of N6 billion was approved or paid to any group as claimed. The figures and narrative being peddled are fictitious, malicious, and deliberately misleading”.
This report is wild! N6 billion compensation for the lynched hunters’ families? And now another attack on the Catholic Seminary in Uromi? The situation is getting crazy. What’s really going on here?