Kidnappers narrate plans as Catholic priest recounts ordeal

DDM News

The Rector of Immaculate Conception Seminary in Agenebode, Reverend Father Thomas Oyode, recently shared his experience of being abducted.

He was kidnapped in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State and held captive for five days by armed men.

During an interview with the media, he revealed details of his interactions with his abductors and the psychological trauma he endured.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) reports, the incident took place between Sunday, October 27, and Thursday, October 31, when he was released after a ransom negotiation.

He recalled that two of the kidnappers spoke fluent pidgin English, even though they were herdsmen known for speaking a different dialect.

Their ability to communicate like a typical Southerner or “Bendelite” surprised him, as they blended easily with the local population.

Throughout his captivity, he had multiple conversations with them, which ranged from serious discussions to moments of humor and irony.

He acknowledged that some of the moments were memorable but could not share all details due to time constraints in the interview.

However, he assured that he would document his full experience in a book once he had fully recovered from the trauma.

One of the kidnappers reassured him at a point, saying, “Do not worry, your people will soon come for you.”

The same abductor added, “You will go home tomorrow by God’s grace,” as though they were concerned about his safety.

Another one, who led him through the forest paths, acknowledged his kindness during captivity and praised him for his selflessness.

“Oga, you are a good person! You begged them to release those two boys and take you instead,” he recalled.

Despite such statements, the kidnappers were ruthless when negotiating ransom and treated his family with cruelty and intimidation.

His pregnant sister, who was responsible for handling the ransom negotiations, endured severe emotional distress due to their threats.

According to Father Oyode, the kidnappers taunted her repeatedly, making it seem as though his fate was already sealed.

They told her, “God punish you, go and use the money for burial,” instead of paying for his release.

He found their mockery deeply unsettling, as they seemed to take pleasure in causing fear and emotional pain.

Although they knew he was a Catholic priest, they did not understand the significance of his role in the church.

They addressed him with different titles, including “pastor,” “teacher,” and “oga,” showing their ignorance about the Catholic priesthood.

At one point, a young kidnapper, known for his violent nature, approached him at night with a disturbing question.

The young man asked, “Do you have a daughter?” in a manner that made Father Oyode deeply uncomfortable.

He immediately sensed danger and responded, “No,” fearing what the abductor might have been planning at that moment.

His thoughts raced as he imagined that if a woman had been among them, she might have been assaulted.

The priest also observed that the kidnappers operated with strategic planning, moving through the forest with precision and caution.

They had a well-organized system of communication, using coded messages and hand signals to coordinate their activities.

At times, they seemed to show conflicting emotions, switching between acts of cruelty and moments of unexpected kindness.

Father Oyode recalled that some of them offered him food, while others took pleasure in beating and threatening him.

One night, they forced him to walk for hours through thick forests, ensuring he could not predict their location.

Despite the physical exhaustion, he relied on his faith and prayers to keep his hope alive during the ordeal.

His abductors remained unpredictable, sometimes laughing and joking, only to turn violent and aggressive within moments.

As the days passed, he realized that their primary focus was money rather than any personal vendetta against him.

Eventually, after long negotiations, his captors agreed to release him after receiving the ransom from his family.

He was freed on Thursday, October 31, and had to navigate his way back to safety after being let go.

Although he survived the ordeal, the experience left him deeply shaken, prompting him to document everything in detail.

His story highlights the increasing cases of kidnappings in Nigeria, where criminals often operate with impunity.

He hopes that sharing his experience will raise awareness and push for stronger security measures to protect citizens.

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