Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Benue

A Catholic priest, Reverend Father John Inalegwu Otache, has been reportedly kidnapped by gunmen along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

Otache, the Parish Priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was said to have been abducted on Tuesday while returning from Otukpo.

The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo confirmed the abduction in a statement issued on Friday and signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Reverend Father Joseph Aboyi Itodo.

The statement said the Bishop of the diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, was deeply pained by the incident and called on Christians and people of goodwill to pray for the priest’s safe and speedy release.

• Soldiers feared killed repelling terrorists in Borno
• Man sentenced to death in Kogi for killing friend

It also stated that efforts were being intensified to secure the priest’s release as the abduction marks the second time a priest serving at St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was kidnapped.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue command, DSP Peter Aondongu, however, said the command was investigating the reported abduction.

“I dont have that report yet. They said he was coming from Ohimini and going to Otukpo. He is a Catholic priest, a Reverend Father. They said it happened on Tuesday.

“Yes, They confirmed it. I can confirm that it happened on Tuesday. He has not been rescued yet. Our teams are still making efforts to rescue him,” Aondongu said.