Gunmen have kidnapped a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Inalegwu Otache, along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in Ohimini Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
Otache, who is in charge of St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was abducted on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, while returning from Otukpo.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo.
The diocese said the Bishop of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, was deeply pained by the abduction and appealed to Christians and other well-meaning Nigerians to pray for the priest’s safe release.
The statement said the diocese was intensifying efforts to secure his release and called for prayers for other victims being held by kidnappers across the country.
It added that the priest and other abductees had been commended to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release.
The incident is reportedly the second time a priest serving at St Margaret’s Parish has been kidnapped.
Confirming the abduction, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the priest had yet to be rescued.
“I can confirm that. It happened on Tuesday. He has not been rescued yet, but our teams are still making efforts to rescue him,” he said.
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