By Jude Atupulazi
The Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Edo State, has confirmed the kidnap of the Rector of Immaculate Conception Seminary, Etsako East LGA of the state, Rev Fr Thomas Oyode, last Sunday.
A statement titled “Diocesan Minor Seminary Attacked, Rector, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode Abducted,” signed by Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, said on Monday that the incident occurred when gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East LGA of Edo State, abducting the seminary’s Rector, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode.
According to the statement, the incident occurred around 7pm on Sunday, during evening prayers and Benediction with priests and seminarians present. The attackers reportedly stormed the seminary and took Rev. Fr. Oyode, leading him into the nearby bush.
The statement read: “The Catholic Diocese of Auchi announces that at about 7pm on Sunday, 27th of October 2024, the priests and seminarians of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East LGA of Edo State, were attacked by gunmen during their evening prayers and Benediction. In the process, the Rector of the institution, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, was abducted and led into the bush.”
The Diocese said the Vice Rector and all seminarians were unharmed and had been temporarily relocated to a safe area pending an increase in security around the seminary. No communication had been established with the abductors as at press time
”Law enforcement agencies have been alerted, and the Diocese has requested prayers for the safe return of Rev. Fr. Oyode”, the statement noted, while explaining the seminary’s significance. It said that it had been established by Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, Bishop of Auchi, in 2006 to train future priests, with over 500 graduates to date.
Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Benin, AIG Arungwa Nwazue, stated that he would travel to Agenebode immediately to oversee the investigation and assess the situation on the ground.
