Benue police rescue Catholic priest, 7 others from kidnappers, arrest 2 suspects

From** Scholastica Hir, **Makurdi

The Benue State Police Command has rescued eight kidnapped victims, including a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Otache, in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state and arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this, saying the operation was part of the command’s sustained efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Rev. Fr. Otache, the parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was reportedly abducted alongside other travellers while returning from a village market along the Ugbokolo-Ajegbe-Awume Road, before Ipiga Village, in Ohimini LGA.

The incident occurred at about 8.15pm on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, according to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu.

Nwadiogbu said operatives of the command, working with personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (CPG), were immediately deployed to the area after the incident was reported.

He said the joint team launched a coordinated rescue operation that resulted in the release of eight victims.

“Two victims were rescued on October 16, 2026, while six others were rescued on October 18, 2026,” he said.

The commissioner disclosed that the rescued victims were taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical examination and necessary treatment.

He further said two suspects, identified as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel, were arrested during the rescue operations.

According to him, the suspects are assisting investigators, while efforts have been intensified to track down other fleeing members of the criminal gang and bring all those involved to justice.

Nwadiogbu expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force for their support to the command in its fight against violent crime.

He also commended the operatives for their prompt response, professionalism and commitment to protecting lives and property.

The police commissioner reassured residents of the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations and deny criminal elements the opportunity to threaten peace and security in the state.

He urged members of the public to support the police with timely and credible information, advising residents to promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station.

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