LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Joy overflowed on Thursday at the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Edo State, when previously kidnapped Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode was released by his abductors.
In a statement by the Director of Communications of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, he announced that Rev. Fr. Oyode was released by his abductors at about 7.00 pm on Wednesday, at a village close to Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
Reports by PUNCH Metro states that on October 27, 2024, while the priests and seminarians were observing their evening prayers and benediction at the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ivhianokpodi-Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Rev. Fr. Oyode was kidnapped during an attack by gunmen.
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The statement by Fr. Peter Egielewa said, “The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, expresses gratitude to all for the prayers and moral support received for the 11 days Fr. Thomas Oyode was held captive, including Catholic faithful within and outside the diocese, well-meaning Nigerians within and outside the country, friends and well-wishers around the world, as well as security agencies, various vigilante groups and hunters who laboured day and night in search of Fr. Thomas Oyode.”
“The Bishop also uses this opportunity to call on government at all levels to work to arrest the deteriorating security situation around the Edo North senatorial district and Edo State and take proactive steps to put in place measures that will guarantee that people return to their normal peaceful lives in their homes, in their farms and while on transit”, the statement said.
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