Rev. Father Thomas Oyode, who was held captive for almost two weeks, has been freed. He is the Rector of the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Agenebode, Edo State. Gunmen broke into the school during a prayer meeting on the evening of October 27, 2024, and took him. The people who attacked took Father Oyode into the bush, but they didn’t hurt the other priests or seminarians. After he was taken, the Catholic Diocese of Auchi released a statement stating what had happened and asking people to pray for his safe return.
Father Oyode was freed after a long operation by security forces that included watching him from the air and working on the ground to find and save him. A coordinated search was carried out by security services, including the police, who closed in on the area where the kidnappers had been holding him. When the kidnappers felt more pressure, they left Father Oyode in a forest in Kogi State. He was later found and set free.
The people who took him had first asked for a N200 million payment to free him. It’s not clear what the ransom was for, but security sources say that talks were going on at the time of his release. One thing that is still unknown is whether he was freed because of a payment or just because of the security action.
The Diocese of Auchi is very happy that the priest is safe again. They want to stress how strong their faith and sense of community have been throughout the experience. Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, the Catholic Bishop of Auchi, opened the school in 2006. It has grown into an important institution in the area and has graduated over 500 students. Even though terrible things happened, the Diocese said that the seminary’s work had continued, though all the other priests and seminarians had to be briefly moved for their safety.
The kidnapping of Father Oyode is part of a larger trend of violence and instability in many parts of Nigeria. More and more people are being kidnapped, mostly religious leaders and institutions. This is a big problem for both local and national officials. As a result, the Diocese has called for tighter security and an end to the lack of punishment for these kinds of crimes. The safety of clergy and holy buildings in the country has also been talked about again because of this event.
Father Oyode’s return is a hopeful end to a tough chapter, but the experience shows how hard it is for religious groups to live in a world where security is getting worse. The Diocese thanked everyone who prayed for and helped him, as well as the police and other people who worked on the operation that freed him safely. People in the community and among the faithful were happy and relieved when he came back. Many saw it as a sign of hope in the middle of the bad news.
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