Gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, attacked the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Agenebode, Edo State, on Sunday, abducting the seminary’s Rector, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode.
The attack occurred around 7 p.m. during evening prayers, as priests and seminarians gathered for Benediction.
The Catholic Diocese of Auchi confirmed the incident on Monday in a statement signed by Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, the Director of Communications.
“The Catholic Diocese of Auchi announces that at about 7 p.m. on Sunday, 27th of October 2024, the priests and seminarians…were attacked by gunmen during their evening prayers and Benediction. In the process, the Rector…Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, was abducted and led into the bush,” the statement reads.
While the Vice Rector and all seminarians were unharmed, they have been relocated for safety.
The Diocese has requested prayers for Rev. Fr. Oyode’s safe return and alerted law enforcement. Currently, no contact has been made with the abductors.
Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 5, AIG Arungwa Nwazue, announced that he would be heading to Agenebode to lead the investigation and assess the security situation.
The Diocese highlighted the seminary’s importance, noting it was founded in 2006 to train future priests and has graduated over 500 seminarians since.
