Pro democracy and civil rights advocacy group – HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) – has condemned the government of Edo state headed by Mr. Monday Okpebholo for letting Emmanuel Alabi, the junior seninarian kidnapped since July, to die in captivity without activating effective and efficient security mechanisms to rescue him from the kidnappers’ den and to decisively liquidate the captors.
HURIWA recalled that the media report stated that lviankpodi community in Etsako East local government area has been thrown into mourning as one of the minor seminarians kidnapped since July have been reported dead in the captivity of the kidnappers.
This is as five persons from the same community were reported kidnapped on their way to their farm last Saturday and the abductors demanding N50 million ransom.
The Rights group cited a statement by the Assistant Director of Communications, Directorate of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Linus Imoedemhe, which was made available to Journalists on Wednesday, as stating that although the Church was grateful to God that one of the victims, Joshua Aleobua, regained his freedom the other victim, Emmanuel Alabi died.
The seminarians were abducted on July 10, 2025, when armed men attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi.
He said, “During that incident, three seminarians-Japhet Jesse, Joshua Aleobua, and Emmanuel Alabi were abducted.
“We are grateful to God for the safe release of Japhet Jesse much earlier and, most recently. Joshua Aleobua, who regained his freedom on November 4, 2025.
“However, with deep sorrow. We announce the passing of seminarian Emmanuel Alabi, who lost his life in the course of the ordeal.
“The Bishop of the Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Gabriel G. Dunia, 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.”
He also cautioned political leaders against turning a blind eye on the worsening insecurity situation in the nation, urging them instead to prioritise the safety and well-being of the people over political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The Catholic Diocese of Auchi invites all the faithful and people of goodwill to join us in praying for the repose of the soul of Emmanuel Alabi, and for the peace, healing, and security of our people and land.”
HURIWA carpete the government of Edo state for spectacularly failing to provide the basic fundamental service of government to the people which forms the fulcrum of the legal obligation of government to the citizens which is to guarantee their safety, security from terrorists and bandits roaring round like wild lions unleashing devastating and blood cuddling violence on the good people of Edo state.
Delving deeper into constitutional and legal obligations of government to the citizens, HURIWA affirmed just like law scholars would argue that a government’s first duty is yo protect its citizens against imminent danger; and protection at times of present abd future peril necessitates policy upon facts and logic. The Rights group therefore asked the Edo state government to wake up from slumber and protect the good people of Edo state and if he lacks the zeal, passion and wherewithal to attain this noble objective for which he claimed to have been elected, then he can as well resign.
” For the avoidance of semantic doubts, we hereby ask the question why should government protect life? As affirmed by scholars, we state without equivocation that “All human beings have basic, natural rights—the most fundamental of these is the right to life. The right to life belongs not only to the strong and the powerful. It belongs to all human beings regardless of age, dependency, or ability.”
HURIWA then argues further alongside legal minds that government exists to protect our natural rights and has a duty to protect the weak from the strong. We all benefit when the law respects the dignity and value of every human life. Government should protect the right to life because it is the foundation of all other liberties. HURIWA hereby asked the Edo state government to compensate the junior seninarian who was left by government to die in the hands of his brutal captors just as the Rights group advocated the payment of N100 billion as compensation for the lost of such a precious life.
e-Signed
COMRADE EMMANUEL NNADOZIE ONWUBIKO,
NATIONAL COORDINATOR,
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA). WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 5TH 2025.
Conclave NG
HURIWA condemns Edo government for letting Kidnapped Seminarian die in captivity
