Kehinde Fajobi
The kidnappers of Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, rector of Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Agenebode, Edo State, are demanding ₦200 million for his release, confirmed by the Catholic Diocese of Auchi.
The cleric was abducted during evening mass on Sunday, with gunmen initially seizing two students before releasing them after Oyode intervened and volunteered himself in exchange.
Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, Director of Communications for the Auchi Diocese, confirmed the ransom demand in a text message to journalists in Benin, simply stating, “It is true.”
An anonymous source revealed that the abductors contacted the diocese on Monday, adding, “As of yesterday, negotiation was yet to commence with the kidnappers, and I don’t know whether the Catholic family will discuss ransom negotiation.”
In a statement released on Monday, Rev. Fr. Egielewa detailed that the attack occurred around 7 p.m. on October 27, during evening prayers.
He wrote, “In the process, the Rector of the institution, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, was abducted and led into the bush. However, the Vice Rector and all seminarians have been accounted for and temporarily relocated to a safe area until security around the seminary is strengthened.”
Egielewa noted that the Diocese had filed an official report with law enforcement and called for prayers, urging, “The Catholic Diocese of Auchi requests all people of goodwill to join the faithful of the Diocese in prayers so that the abductors release Fr. Oyode unharmed.”
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun assured on Tuesday that the gunmen would be apprehended. According to Edo State Police Command Spokesperson Moses Yamu, the Assistant Inspector-General for Zone 5, AIG Arungwa Nwazue, visited Agenebode on Monday, along with Commissioner of Police Umoru Ozigi, meeting local leaders and Bishop Gabriel Dunia of the Auchi Diocese.
The AIG expressed sympathy, pledging “the police will stop at nothing to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book and that the abducted Rev. Father is rescued unhurt.”
The Edo State Police Command is urging public cooperation to maintain law and order as local hunters, vigilantes, and soldiers have initiated a search for Oyode in the surrounding areas.