A Catholic priest, John Otache, has been kidnapped alongside the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, the police and the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo have confirmed.
Mr Otache, who’s in control of St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was kidnapped on Tuesday, 13 October, whereas coming back from Otukpo, in line with an announcement by the Diocesan Chancellor, Joseph Itodo.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Benue, Peter Aondongu, additionally confirmed the kidnapping, saying efforts have been ongoing to rescue the priest.
“I can confirm that. It happened on Tuesday. He has not been rescued yet, but our teams are still making efforts to rescue him,” Mr Aondongu advised Vanguard.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Michael Apochi, appealed to Christians and different individuals of goodwill to wish for the priest’s protected launch.
“The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, is deeply pained by this sad development and has earnestly requested all Christ’s faithful in the Diocese and all people of goodwill to pray for the quick and safe release of Fr John as we intensify efforts to ensure his release,” the assertion mentioned.
The diocese additionally urged prayers for different individuals held by kidnappers throughout the nation, expressing hope for his or her speedy and protected launch.
Vanguard reported that the kidnapping was the second involving a priest serving at St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume.
Related considerations over church safety
The abduction comes days after the Catholic Diocese of Gboko introduced the indefinite closure of Catholic establishments in Ihugh, one other neighborhood in Benue State, citing repeated assaults, arson and considerations vvover the security of its personnel.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the Diocese of Gboko, in a pastoral letter dated 12 October, ordered the closure of St Winifred Secondary School, St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St Thomas Hospital and Salus Mudi Care Centre, in addition to St Winifred Parish.
The decree, signed by the Bishop of Gboko, William Avenya, and the diocesan chancellor, Marcellinus Wende, additionally directed the withdrawal of monks, consecrated individuals and different diocesan personnel from the affected establishments.
READ ALSO: Catholic Church shuts institutions in Benue community, gives reasons
The diocese mentioned pupil hostels at St Winifred Secondary School had been burnt on 4 events between October 2025 and October 2026. It additionally cited repeated burglaries and different felony incidents involving church properties.
The diocese mentioned it had engaged neighborhood leaders and safety authorities however had not secured the lasting security ensures required to maintain its establishments working.
Although the 2 incidents occurred in numerous elements of Benue State, they’ve raised recent considerations concerning the safety of Catholic personnel and establishments within the state. The accessible reviews don’t set up a connection between the priest’s abduction and the assaults cited by the Diocese of Gboko.
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