Nigerian diocese mourns death of kidnapped seminarian
The Diocese of Auchi, Nigeria, has announced the death of Emmanuel Alabi, a seminarian who was kidnapped in July by bandits.
The Diocese of Auchi, Nigeria, has announced the death of Emmanuel Alabi, a seminarian who was kidnapped in July by bandits.
“The Diocese of Auchi remains committed to the values of faith, peace, and justice, trusting in God's infinite mercy to bring comfort to the bereaved family, the seminary community, and all those affected by this tragedy,” Father Linus Imoedemhe wrote in a statement, according to The Guardian Nigeria.
Alabi, who was one of three minor seminarians abducted July 10 from Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi, was shot dead while trying to escape, The Guardian Nigeria reported.
Seminarian Japhet Jesse left captivity July 18, though reports differ on whether he escaped or was released, according to a Facebook post. Joshua Aleobua was freed Nov. 4.
In August, the kidnappers released a video of Aleobua and Alabi pleading for their lives while holding a human skull, according to the report.
News of Alabi’s death comes just months after another seminarian studying at Immaculate Conception, Peter Andrew, was kidnapped and killed in June.
Attacks, kidnappings, and killings of Catholics have become common in Nigeria in recent years. Priests, religious, and seminarians have been targeted. A study by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria found that 145 priests were kidnapped between 2015 and 2025. Eleven of them have been confirmed dead and four are still missing, according to Catholic Review. More than 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria so far this year.
As CatholicVote previously reported, Rep. Riley Moore of West Virginia, a Republican, introduced a House resolution Nov. 7 to defend persecuted Christians in Nigeria, and President Donald Trump has previously spoken out against religious violence in the nation. U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch said Nov. 5 that Christians in Nigeria are facing an “existential crisis” in the face of persecution by Islamic terrorists.
In the diocese’s statement about Alabi’s death, Fr. Imoedemhe said that Bishop Gabriel Dunia of Auchi “has expressed his deep pain and sorrow over the loss of the young seminarian and has called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward protecting the lives and property of all citizens.”
