Benin City A N200 million ransom is allegedly being demanded by the abductors of Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, the Rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. Oyode was abducted by gunmen on Sunday while attending an evening mass in the area.

In a succinct text message to reporters in Benin City, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, the Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, verified the ransom demand, stating, “It is true.”

“The kidnappers contacted Auch Catholic Diocese on Monday evening and asked them to pay ₦200 million if they want them to release the kidnapped priest,” according to an unnamed source.

“As of yesterday, negotiations with the kidnappers had not yet begun, and I am uncertain if the Catholic family will bring up the subject of ransom negotiations.”

According to information obtained during the incident, the gunmen abducted two students following intermittent gunfire, but Rev. Fr. Oyode, the rector and guardian of the kids, begged the assailants to release the students instead of capturing him.

The two students were reportedly freed by the shooters, but Oyode was taken into jail.

Remember how priests and seminarians from the Minor Seminary were attacked during their evening prayers and Benediction on Sunday, October 27, at around 7 p.m.? Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa acknowledged as much in a statement issued on Monday.

The institution’s rector, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, was kidnapped and taken into the jungle during the ordeal, according to the statement. Nevertheless, until security measures surrounding the Seminary are strengthened, the Vice Rector and every Seminarian have been located, are safe, and have been temporarily moved to a secure location. Regretfully, there has been no contact with the kidnappers thus far.

“The situation has been officially reported to the law enforcement agencies, and we anticipate their help in obtaining the release of our kidnapped priest.

The statement read, “The Catholic Diocese of Auchi asks all good-willed individuals to join the Diocese’s faithful in praying for the abductors to release Fr. Oyode unharmed.”

The statement continued: “The Catholic Diocese of Auchi asks all good-willed individuals to join the Diocese’s faithful in praying for the kidnappers to release Fr. Oyode unharmed.”