Police hunt abductors of Edo Catholic priest

The Nigeria Police on Tuesday, assured the public that the gunmen who abducted the Rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Ivhianokpodi, Aghenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, would be apprehended and the cleric “rescued unhurt.”

PUNCH Metro reports that the cleric was kidnapped on Sunday by gunmen during the evening Mass service.

However, the Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, has confirmed that a ransom of N200m was made by the abductors to release the cleric.

In a text message to our correspondent in Benin City on Tuesday, Egielewa said, “It is true,” when asked if the ransom claim was true.
A source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the kidnappers contacted the Auchi Catholic Diocese on Monday and asked them to pay N200m if they wanted them to release the kidnapped priest.

“As of yesterday, a negotiation had yet to begin 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. pleaded with them to free the students and instead kidnap him.
The gunmen were said to have released the two students and took Oyode into custody.

In a statement by the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was quoted to have vowed that the police would stop at nothing to ensure the perpetrators were brought to book and the abducted Rev Father rescued unhurt.

“Following reports of the unfortunate abduction of a Rev Father at the Diocesan Minor Seminary in Agenebode Sunday evening, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5 (Delta and Edo State Commands), AIG Arungwa Nwazue, accompanied by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Umoru Ozigi, on Monday visited Agenebode.

“During the visit, they met with the Chairperson of Etsako East Local Government Area, Benedicta Attoh; the lawmaker representing the council, Kingsley Ugabi; the Okumagbe of Uwanno Kingdom, HRH G.O. Egabor and other traditional rulers from Weppa, Ibie, Okpekpe as well as Bishop Gabriel Dunia, along with other Rev Fathers at the Council Secretariat, charting a robust course to tackle insecurity in the area.

“The AIG, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, sympathised with the community, the Seminary and the entire Catholic body over the incident, and assured them that the police will stop at nothing to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book and the abducted Rev Father is rescued unhurt. He further called for synergy to achieve this.

“The CP in a separate meeting held with the youths at the Agenebode Area Command, assured them of the police readiness to work with the community for a secure and peaceful coexistence.

“The command, therefore, seeks the support and cooperation of the general public in its quest to maintain law and order, and to prevent every form of crimes across the state.”