The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has condemned the second deadly attack on the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East, Edo State, by armed men.
The attackers killed a security officer and kidnapped three seminarians, sparking outrage from the rights group.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said it was shameful that security agencies in Edo failed to prevent the attack despite promises made after the first incident.
“It is disgraceful that the security agents are more concerned with protecting politicians and the wealthy who can pay them instead of safeguarding the lives and property of ordinary citizens as mandated by the Constitution,” Onwubiko said.
He criticised the police and the Department of State Services for their failure to sweep out armed bandits suspected to be hiding in the forests of Edo State.
“The forests must never be left to the armed bandits to occupy as training grounds and hideouts of terrorists,” he added.
HURIWA said it was shocking that the same seminary could be attacked again despite assurances from the government and security leaders that such attacks would not repeat.
The association urged Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to take the security of lives and property seriously rather than focusing on politics.
