FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Teenage seminarians abducted from their school in Edo State two months ago have appeared in a viral video begging their parents and well wishers to come up with the ransom being demanded by their abductors.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that the teenagers were abducted on July 10 at the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School, Ivianokpodi, Agenebode, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The gunmen, who killed a Civil Defense Corps officer attached to the school, took three seminarians away. One was released afterwards, while two others have remained in the kidnappers den ever since.
In a recent video recording reportedly released on the social media by the kidnappers, the two abductees were seen begging their parents and members of the public to pay for their freedom.
Surrounded by masked gun-wielding men, the seminaries were also seen holding human skull.
Following their abduction, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had ordered the immediate deployment of tactical teams to apprehend the abductors and rescue the seminarians unhurt.
“The operatives will not relent until those behind this reprehensible act are tracked down and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he had assured.
Meanwhile, the Spokesman of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, has confirmed the video.
According to Reverend Father Egielewa,
“The video you see them 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,” the cleric stated.
