Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of the minor seminary in Agenegabode in the Etsako East district of Edo State in southern Nigeria, who was kidnapped on Sunday 27 October, is free. After eleven days of captivity, the priest was released. This was reported by sources from the diocese of Auchi. "Currently, Father Thomas is in hospital for examinations under observation," they confirm. Father Thomas had offered himself as a hostage in exchange for two seminarians who had initially been captured by the kidnappers who had attacked the seminary (see Fides, 29/10/2024). By a happy coincidence, Father Thomas Oyode celebrates his 9th anniversary as a priest today, November 7th. Meanwhile, there are reports of the kidnapping of another priest, Father Christian Uchegbu of the diocese of Orlu, who was abducted yesterday, November 6, on his way back from Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta area, while Father Emmanuel Azubuike fell into the hands of kidnappers on November 5 in Imo State (see Fides, 6/11/2024). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 7/11/2024)
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