A Catholic priest identified as Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode has allegedly been abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in Edo State.
The incident was said to have taken place at Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School, Ivanokpodi, in Agenegbode, in Etsako East Local Government Area of the State.
According to a source, the gunmen broke into the seminary on Sunday and tried to kidnap two students; however, the Reverend Father volunteered to take their place, and he was carried away into the bush.
The source said, “The gunmen stormed the seminary at about 7 pm and started shooting sporadically, in the process kidnapping two students at the school.
“Thinking that the gunfire was from security personnel, the clergy came out to confront them, only to discover that two of his students were held at gunpoint.
“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.”
He stated that the priests and seminarians of the school were attacked by gunmen during their evening prayers and benediction at 7 pm on Sunday, and in the process, the Rector of the institution, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, was abducted and taken into the bush.
He added, “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.
“Unfortunately, no communication has been established with the abductors yet. We call for prayers for the release of the priest unhurt.”
When reached on Monday, SP Moses Yamu, the spokesperson for the Edo State Command, stated that they were on their way to the crime site and would communicate once they had more information about what had happened.
