IG Vows to Arrest Kidnappers of Catholic Priest in Edo, Abductors Demand N200m Ransom

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city

The Inspector General of Police (IG), Kayode Egbetokun, yeterday assured Nigerians that the gunmen who abducted Rev. Father, Thomas Oyode in Agenegbode, Etsako East Local Government Area of the Edo State will be arrested.

This is just as abductors of the Rev. Fr. Oyode demanded a ransom fee of N200million for his release.

In a statement issued by the Spokesperson of Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, he said: “Following reports of the unfortunate abduction of a Rev Father at the Diocesan Minor Seminary in Agenebode last 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, last Monday visited Agenebode. “During the visit, they met with the Chairperson of Etsako East Local Government Area, Hon Benedicta Attoh; lawmaker representing the council, Hon. Kingsley Ugabi; Okumagbe of Uwanno Kingdom, HRH G.O Egabor, and other traditional rulers from Weppa, Ibie, Okpekpe, as well as Bishop Gabriel Dunia, with other Rev Fathers at the Council Secretariat, charting a robust course to tackle insecurity in the area.”

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

“The CP in a separate meeting held with the youths of the community at the Agenebode Area Command assured them of the police readiness to work with the community for a secured 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.”

Meanwhile, abductors of Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, have reportedly demanded a N200 million ransom for his release. Oyode was kidnapped on Sunday by gunmen when they went to the evening mass in the area.

The Director of Communications of the  Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, confirmed the ransom demanded in a text message in Benin-city, saying: “It is true.”

A source, who asked not to be named, said: “The kidnappers on Monday evening contacted the Auch Catholic Diocese and asked them to pay ₦200 million if they want them to release the kidnapped priest.

“As at yesterday, negotiation was yet to commence with the Kidnappers and I don’t know whether the Catholic family will discussed ransom negotiation.”

During the attack, it was gathered that the gunmen took two students after sporadic shootings but that Rev Fr. Oyode pleaded with the kidnappers to free the students and instead take him who is the rector and custodian of the students.

The gunmen were said to have released the two students and took Oyode into captivity.

Recall that Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa in a statement released on Monday said that the incident happened on October 27 at about 7 pm when Priests and Seminarians of the Minor Seminary were attacked during their evening prayers and Benediction.

The statement said: “In the process, the Rector of the institution, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, was abducted and led into the bush.

However, the Vice Rector and all the Seminarians have been accounted for and are safe and temporarily relocated to a safe area until security measures around the Seminary are tightened. Unfortunately, no communication has been had with the abductors yet“An official report of the incident has been lodged with the Law Enforcement Agencies and we look forward to their assistance in securing the release of our abducted priest.

“The Catholic Diocese of Auchi requests all people of goodwill to join the faithful of the Diocese in prayers so that the abductors release Fr. Oyode unharmed”, the statement said.

The Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary was established by the Catholic Bishop of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, in 2006 for the training of future priests. Over 500 students have so far successfully graduated from the church institution.