Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers reportedly abducted a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, in Edo State.
The incident took place at Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School in Ivanokpodi, located in the Agenegbode area of Etsako East Local Government, according to The PUNCH.
A source explained that the assailants stormed the seminary around 7 pm on Sunday, opening fire and causing panic among the students and staff.
Initially, the attackers captured two students at gunpoint, but Rev. Fr. Oyode, who is the seminary’s rector, confronted the gunmen and offered himself in exchange for the students.
Witnesses described the bravery of the priest, who intervened as soon as he realized his students were in danger.
One witness stated, “The gunmen stormed the seminary at about 7 pm and started shooting sporadically, in the process kidnapping two students of the school.”
The priest, assuming the shots were from security forces, stepped outside, only to find his students being held hostage.
The source continued, “When the Reverend saw what had happened, he pleaded with the gunmen to free the students and take him instead, as he is the rector and custodian of the seminary. The gunmen heeded the Reverend Father’s plea, released the two students, kidnapped him, and took him into the bush.”
In response, local hunters, vigilantes, and soldiers from nearby military barracks launched a search operation to rescue the priest.
The Catholic Diocese of Auchi confirmed the abduction on Monday through a statement from the Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa.
He explained that the priest was taken during the seminary’s evening prayers and benediction, adding, “However, the vice-rector and all the seminarians have been accounted for and are safe; they have been temporarily relocated to a secure area until security around the seminary is tightened.”
Fr. Egielewa said, “Unfortunately, no communication has been established with the abductors yet. We call for prayers for the release of the priest unhurt.”
The Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Moses Yamu, said officers were on their way to the scene to gather more information on the incident.
