Reverend Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, was abducted by gunmen on Sunday evening, plunging the local Catholic community into shock and uncertainty. The attack occurred around 7 PM while priests and seminarians were in the middle of their evening prayers and benediction. According to the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Father Oyode was forcefully taken by the gunmen, who led him into nearby bushland, and communication with his captors has yet to be established.
In a statement released by Reverend Father Peter Egielewa, Director of Communications for the Auchi Diocese, the church disclosed that all other priests and seminarians present at the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary have been accounted for and relocated for safety reasons. The diocese is now working closely with law enforcement and pleading for their swift intervention to secure Father Oyode’s release.
The Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, established in 2006 by Bishop Gabriel Dunia of the Auchi Diocese, has been instrumental in training young men for priesthood, producing over 500 graduates who now serve various communities. The abduction of Father Oyode has cast a shadow over this renowned institution, which has stood as a beacon of faith and education in Edo State.
The incident highlights the growing insecurity affecting religious institutions across Nigeria and has sparked calls for enhanced security measures for vulnerable communities. This abduction of a prominent church leader not only disrupts religious observance but underscores the risks faced by clergy in carrying out their pastoral duties.
