Catholic priest offers self to kidnappers to free abducted seminarians

Ben Ogbemudia, Abuja

Gunmen have reportedly abducted the Rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ivhianokpodi in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Reverend Father Thomas Oyode, in the state.

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Edo State confirmed Oyode’s abduction in a statement on Monday, October 28, 2024.

The diocese, in a statement issued by its Director of Communications, Reverend Father Peter Egielewa, disclosed that Oyode was kidnapped by gunmen on Sunday evening.

Egielewa said priests and seminarians of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary were observing their evening prayers and benediction on Sunday evening when they were attacked by the gunmen.

It was gathered that Hausa/Fulani suspected to be kidnappers entered Immaculate conception Minor Seminary school where they captured two of the students but the Rector of the school Rev. Fr. Thomas Awhome Oyode asked them to release the students and take him instead, and immediately they released the two students and took the Rector away. Nobody was killed.

The release further stated that the vice-rector and all the seminarians had been accounted for and had been relocated for safety purposes.

He added that the Diocese had, however, not had any communication with the abductors of Oyode.

Egielewa said the diocese had lodged an official report seeking the assistance of security agencies in securing the release of the abducted priest.