Kidnappers demand N200m ransom for Catholic priest release

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Kidnappers demand N200m ransom for Catholic priest release

The kidnappers of Rev Fr Thomas Oyode, a Catholic priest and Rector of Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School, Ivanokpodi, in Agenegbode, Etsako East Local Government of Edo State, have demanded a ransom of N200 million.

It was reported that the Catholic priest was abducted on Sunday at about 7 p.m. at the seminary school.

Oyode was said to have told the abductors to take him in place of the two students of the institution they had kidnapped.

It was gathered that the kidnappers made contact with the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, led by Bishop Gabriel Dunia, on Monday evening, demanding the N200 million ransom.

According to the source, the kidnappers contacted the Auchi Catholic Diocese on Monday evening and asked them to pay N200 million if they wanted the kidnappers to release the abducted priest.

“After making their demand, the kidnappers cut the call, waiting for them (the Catholic Church) to commence negotiations.

“As of yesterday, negotiations had yet to commence with the kidnappers, and I don’t know whether the Catholic family will discuss ransom negotiation,” he said.

When contacted, Rev Fr Peter Egielewa, Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, confirmed the demand for the N200 million ransom.

Egielewa, who replied to a text message sent to his phone for confirmation of the ransom demand, simply said, “It is true.”

It was recalled that Rev Fr Oyode was kidnapped by gunmen on Sunday at the institution after they stormed the seminary and kidnapped two students after sporadic gunshots.

The abducted priest reportedly pleaded with the kidnappers to free the students and instead took him, as he is the Rector and custodian of the students.

The gunmen were said to have freed the students and kidnapped the Reverend Father of the school.

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi, which confirmed the kidnapping of the priest in a statement, called for prayers for the release of the priest unharmed.