Benue police rescue Rev Fr, 7 other kidnapped victims

Arrest two suspects in Ohimini LG

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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

The Benue State Police Command, in its sustained efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state, has successfully rescued eight kidnapped victims in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state, including Rev Fr John Otache.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, also disclosed that two suspects were arrested during the operation.

Rev Fr Otache, the Parish Priest of St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, in Ohimini LGA of Benue State, was reportedly abducted along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, while travelling home from Otukpo.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Peter Aondongu, said, “The development followed a kidnapping incident on Tuesday, 13th October 2026, at about 2015 hrs, when armed men abducted a Reverend Father and some other persons returning from a village market along the Ugbokolo-Ajegbe-Awume Road, before Ipiga Village in Ohimini LGA.”

The Commissioner said, “Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Command, in conjunction with personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (CPG), were immediately mobilised to the area and launched a coordinated rescue operation.

“The operation led to the successful rescue of eight victims, with two rescued on 16th October 2026 and six on 18th October 2026.”

He said the rescued victims were taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical examination and necessary medical attention.

The Police Commissioner also explained that in the course of the rescue operations, two suspects, identified as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel, were arrested.

He said both suspects are currently assisting with the ongoing investigation, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal gang and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.

Nwadiogbu appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and the AIG, Police Mobile Force (PMF), for their unwavering support to the Command in the ongoing fight against violent crime in the state.

He also commended the operatives for their prompt response, professionalism, and commitment to the protection of lives and property, and reassured residents of the Command’s readiness and determination to sustain intelligence-led operations and deny criminal elements the opportunity to threaten the peace and security of the state.

He further called on members of the public to continue supporting the Police with timely and credible information that could assist ongoing operations, urging residents to promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station.

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