The Abductors of Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, a Catholic priest in Edo State, have demanded a ransom of N200 million for his release.
The cleric was kidnapped on Sunday by gunmen during the evening mass.
It was gathered that the kidnappers contacted with the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, led by Bishop Gabriel Dunia on Monday evening, demanding the ransom.
“On Monday evening, the kidnappers contacted the Auch Catholic Diocese and asked them to pay N200 million if they want them to release the priest.
“As of Monday, negotiation with the kidnappers was yet to commence and I don’t know if the Catholic family will discuss it,” a source told our correspondent.
It was also gathered that the gunmen took two students after sporadic shootings but Rev. fr. Oyode pleaded with the kidnappers to free the students but kidnap him instead as the Rector and custodian of the seminarians.
The gunmen were said to have released the two students and took Oyode into custody.
Recall that Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi in a statement released on Monday said that the incident happened on Sunday, 27th October at about 7 pm when priests and seminarians of the Seminary were attacked during their evening prayers and benediction.
Written by Jennifer Amarachi
