The Catholic Diocese of Auchi confirmed on Monday that gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, abducting the seminary’s Rector, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Sunday during evening prayers and Benediction, with priests and seminarians present at the time. Reports indicate that the attackers stormed the seminary and forcibly took Rev. Fr. Oyode, leading him into a nearby bush.
A statement titled “Diocesan Minor Seminary Attacked, Rector, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode Abducted,” signed by Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, confirmed the details of the attack. The statement read: “The Catholic Diocese of Auchi announces that at about 7 p.m. on Sunday, 27th of October 2024, the priests and seminarians of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East LGA of Edo State, were attacked by gunmen during their evening prayers and Benediction. In the process, the Rector of the institution, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, was abducted and led into the bush.”
According to the Diocese, the Vice Rector and all seminarians were unharmed and have been temporarily relocated to a safe area while security measures around the seminary are heightened. As of now, no communication has been established with the abductors.
Law enforcement agencies have been notified of the incident, and the Diocese is urging prayers for the safe return of Rev. Fr. Oyode. The statement also emphasized the seminary’s importance, established by Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, Bishop of Auchi, in 2006, to train future priests, with over 500 graduates to date.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Benin, AIG Arungwa Nwazue, stated that he would travel to Agenebode immediately to oversee the investigation and assess the situation on the ground.
