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Tag: #EdoState

Bandits Kill Four People In Plateau State
NEWS

Rector of Catholic Seminary in Edo Kidnapped, Now Freed

Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, the Rector of Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary located in Ivhianokpodi, Agenebode, Edo State, who was kidnapped by suspected herdsmen in Etsako East Local Government Area, has been released. According to LMSINT MEDIA, Oyode was taken on October 27 during an attack on the Catholic Diocese of Auchi. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on a Sunday, during a prayer session and Benediction when priests and seminarians were present. Reverend Father Peter Egielewa, Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, released a statement providing details of the event. The statement, titled “Diocesan Minor Seminary Attacked, Rector, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode Abducted,” mentioned that on October 27, 2024, gunmen attacked the seminary at approximately 7 p.m., interrupting the evening prayers. During the attack, the rector was taken and led away into the forest. The statement added that the Vice Rector and all seminarians were unharmed and relocated for safety pending enhanced security measures. Authorities were notified, and assistance was awaited to secure the release of Fr. Oyode. The Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary was founded in 2006 by the Catholic Bishop of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, with over 500 graduates produced since its inception. The Diocese urged the public to join in prayers for Oyode’s safe return. Fr. Oyode Released After 11 Days Reports surfaced on Thursday confirming Fr. Oyode’s release after 11 days of captivity. Although no official church or police statement has been issued regarding his release, a Catholic community member’s Facebook post confirmed it. The post read: “Good NEWS, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi has been released from the kidnappers’ den. Indeed, what God cannot do does not exist. Thank you all for your unrelenting passion for God’s servant and prayers.” It was reported that during the abduction, Oyode negotiated the release of the students initially captured with him and offered himself instead. Two days after the incident, the kidnappers demanded a ₦200 million ransom. However, it remains unclear if any ransom was paid for his release. READ ALSO: Adamu Garba Accuses Obama of Undermining Biden and Contributing to Kamala Harris’ Election Defeat

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NEWS

EFCC arrests Edo’s accountant general and two other individuals

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Julius Anelu, the Accountant General of Edo State, along with two other government officials as the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki in Edo State comes to a close. According to reports, the officials who were arrested were detained for allegedly making large withdrawals from the State’s derivation account. This comes after Obaseki’s administration was accused by Senator Monday Okpebholo “of last-minute borrowings and looting.” According to PUNCH, which cites a reliable source at the EFCC, N14 billion was left over a week after N24.6 billion was transferred into the government’s account. Approximately two to three people, including the state’s accountant general, were arrested. We have been looking into the Godwin Obaseki has been the state’s governor since 2022, but certain withdrawals from the state’s derivation account led to this most recent arrest. “Huge sums of money were taken out. For example, N24.6 billion was deposited into the account a few weeks ago. However, the account had roughly N14 billion left in less than a week. We have to act fast to save the state. The insider stated, “We are not doing that in any way to ground the state activities.” As of the time of this publication, the EFCC has not yet responded to the development in an official manner. Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State who was restored, expressed concern about his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, allegedly plotting to embezzle funds from the state treasury. During a press event in Benin City, Shaibu said that he was offering a N1 million monetary prize to anyone with information about suspected government property looting as the administration comes to an end. He had also stated that he had proof of the last-minute borrowing from banking institutions and the purported looting in some areas. READ ALSO: 33 million Nigerians would experience a food catastrophe in 2025. Additionally, he had urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other pertinent organizations to investigate the purported misappropriation of funds intended for the ongoing Radisson Hotel project, the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, and last-minute appointments made by the departing administration. We love having you back, Kindly Subscribe to our Newsletter.

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