A group, the Edo State Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights, has expressed dismay on the death of a young seminarian, Alabi Emmanuel, who died while in the custody of some gunmen who abducted him and two of his co-seminarians.
“The loss of this young seminarian is not merely a personal tragedy — it is a national disgrace and a moral failure of leadership. The people of Edo deserve more than condolences; they deserve protection, justice, and accountability,” the group posited.
Emmanuel and the two other young seminarians were kidnapped by gunmen at the Immaculate Minor Seminary at Ivhianakpodi in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State and had been in captivity since July 2025.
Going further, Marxist Kola Edokpayi (Coordinator General) of the group and Comrade Aghatise Raphael (Secretary General) in a statement they jointly signed said: “This unspeakable tragedy stands as a damning indictment of the Edo State Government and the security agencies, whose constitutional and moral obligations to safeguard the lives and dignities of citizens have been desecrated by negligence, complacency, and inexcusable inertia.
“For months, we issued passionate appeals, published press statements and urging those in authority to act decisively to rescue these innocent children from the hands of the Kidnappers. Yet, our pleas were met with silence and bureaucratic indifference. Today, that silence has birthed another grave — a grave filled with youthful promises, broken dreams, and a destiny cruelly cut short.”
According to the group, “the blood of Alabi Emmanuel cries out — it will forever stain the conscience of every person and institution that had the power to act but chose indifference when humanity demanded courage.
“How long shall this cycle of impunity, negligence, and moral decay persist? How many more sons and daughters must we bury before the sanctity of human life regains its rightful place in our governance?
“The loss of this young seminarian is not merely a personal tragedy — it is a national disgrace and a moral failure of leadership. The people of Edo deserve more than condolences; they deserve protection, justice, and accountability.
“May the soul of Alabi Emmanuel find eternal rest, and may his death awaken the slumbering conscience of those who wield power yet refuse to wield compassion.”
