Thomas Oyode, a Catholic priest and rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ivhianokpodi, Agenebode, Edo State, has been released from captivity 10 days after gunmen abducted him.

According to the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, he was released at 7 pm on Wednesday around a village close to Ajaokuta in Kogi State.

“The Catholic Diocese of Auchi wishes to announce the release of Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode from the hands of his abductors. He was released at about 7.00 pm on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at a village close to Ajaokuta, Kogi State,” the statement from the church reads in part.

READ MORE: Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest in Edo, Demand N200m Ransom

FIJ reported on October 29, how the reverend father was kidnapped two days earlier after gunmen stormed the seminary during evening prayers. They took Oyode and led him through a bush path before contacting the church to demand N200 million as ransom.

READ ALSO: Terrorists Abduct Zamfara Imam Second Time, With 100 Other Victims

“In the process, the Rector of the institution, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, was abducted and led into the bush,” the diocese’s first statement read.

“However, the vice rector and all the seminarians have been accounted for and are safe and temporarily relocated to a safe area until security measures around the seminary are tightened.

“Unfortunately, no communication has been had with the abductors yet an official report of the incident has been lodged with the Law enforcement agencies and we look forward to their assistance in securing the release of our abducted priest.”

FIJ can’t establish at press time whether the N200 million ransom was paid as demanded by the abductors.