Three seminary students have been kidnapped from their college chapel in Nigeria's Kaduna state.

The fourth-year theology students were attacked at Christ the King Major Seminary on Monday.

A further six seminarians were treated for injuries at the Salem Hospital in Kafanchan.

They have since been discharged after being confirmed stable.

Father Emmanuel Okolo, chancellor of the school's Diocese, Kafanchan has called for prayer.

"We ask for your closeness to us in praying for the quick and safe release of our abducted brothers," he told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). "Well-wishers of our seminary are hereby encouraged to desist from taking the laws into their hands. We would use every legitimate means to ensure their prompt and secure release."

Abductions of clergy are increasingly commonplace in parts of Nigeria. According to Christian persecution charity, Open Doors more Christians are murdered for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country, while Kaduna State is one of the regions where believers are most at risk of persecution.

Dr Thomas Heine-Geldern, Executive President ACN International condemned the "kidnapping of innocent young seminarians - once again - in Nigeria" as an "abominable act." 

"We appeal to the conscience of their kidnappers and urge them to release these young people. We ask people of good will to join us in praying that the three seminarians will soon be released unharmed."

Dr Heine-Geldern has called on the government to guarantee citizens' safety, saying the country "runs the risk of becoming a failed state". 

On 8th January 2020, four seminarians were kidnapped from the Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna, of which three were released but the fourth and youngest, Michael Nnadi, aged 18, was killed.