AFRICA/NIGERIA - Rector of a seminary offers himself as hostage in exchange for two students

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - Father Thomas Oyode, the latest in a long list of priests kidnapped in Nigeria, offered himself as hostage in exchange for two students.
On Sunday 27 October, around 7pm, armed men attacked the “Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School” in Agenegabode, in the local government area of Etsako East of Edo State, in southern Nigeria. According to various sources, after entering the seminary, the attackers first fired shots in the air and then kidnapped two students from the school. When he heard the shots, Father Thomas, the Rector of the minor Seminary, went out into the courtyard and faced the bandits with the two students and offered himself as a hostage in exchange for the two students. The kidnappers accepted the priest's request and exchanged him for the two students. He was then abducted by the bandits into the bush. Meanwhile, a manhunt has been launched to find the kidnappers and free Father Thomas.
In a statement, the Diocese of Auchi also confirmed the incident, adding: "The vice-rector and all the seminarians have been located and are safe and have been temporarily moved to a safe place until security measures around the minor seminary are strengthened". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 29/10/2024)

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seminaries

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banditry

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