Kidnappers demand N200m ransom for Catholic priest abducted in Edo

Abductors of Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, Rector of Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, have reportedly demanded a N200 million ransom for his release.

Fr. Oyode was kidnapped by gunmen on Sunday evening while attending mass in the area.

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi confirmed the ransom demand, with the Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, stating, “It is true” in a brief message to journalists in Benin City.

According to an anonymous source, the kidnappers contacted the Diocese on Monday evening to communicate their demand.

“As of yesterday, negotiation was yet to commence with the Kidnappers and I don’t know whether the Catholic family will discuss ransom negotiation.”

During the attack, it was gathered that the gunmen took two students after sporadic shootings but that Rev Fr. Oyode pleaded with the kidnappers to free the students and instead kidnap him who is the Rector and custodian of the students.

The gunmen were said to have released the two students and took Oyode into custody.

Recall that Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, in a statement released on Monday said that the incident happened on Sunday, 27th October at about 7 pm when Priests and Seminarians of the Minor Seminary were attacked during their evening prayers and Benediction.

The statement said “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 the Seminarians have been accounted for and are safe and temporarily relocated to a safe area until security measures around the Seminary are tightened. Unfortunately, no communication has been had with the abductors yet.

“An official report of the incident has been lodged with the Law Enforcement Agencies and we look forward to their assistance in securing the release of our abducted priest.

“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”, the statement said.

The Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary was established by the Catholic Bishop of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, in 2006 for the training of future priests. Over 500 students have so far successfully graduated from the church institution.

As of Tuesday, the police in Edo State are yet to respond to this incident.