A Catholic priest, John Otache, has been abducted alongside the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Street in Ohimini Native Executive House of Benue State, the police and the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo have showed.
Mr Otache, who’s answerable for St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was once kidnapped on Tuesday, 13 October, whilst coming back from Otukpo, in line with a commentary by means of the Diocesan Chancellor, Joseph Itodo.
The Police Public Family members Officer in Benue, Peter Aondongu, additionally showed the kidnapping, pronouncing efforts had been ongoing to rescue the priest.
“I will be able to ascertain that. It took place on Tuesday. He has now not been rescued but, however our groups are nonetheless making efforts to rescue him,” Mr Aondongu advised Leading edge.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Michael Apochi, appealed to Christians and people of goodwill to wish for the priest’s protected unlock.
“The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Maximum Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, is deeply pained by means of this unhappy building and has earnestly asked all Christ’s trustworthy within the Diocese and all folks of goodwill to wish for the fast and protected unlock of Fr John as we accentuate efforts to make sure his unlock,” the commentary mentioned.
The diocese additionally advised prayers for people held by means of kidnappers around the nation, expressing hope for his or her rapid and protected unlock.
Leading edge reported that the kidnapping was once the second one involving a clergyman serving at St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume.
Comparable considerations over church safety
The kidnapping comes days after the Catholic Diocese of Gboko introduced the indefinite closure of Catholic establishments in Ihugh, any other group in Benue State, bringing up repeated assaults, arson and considerations vvover the security of its workforce.
PREMIUM TIMES previous reported that the Diocese of Gboko, in a pastoral letter dated 12 October, ordered the closure of St Winifred Secondary Faculty, St Winifred Nursery and Number one Faculty, St Thomas Health facility and Salus Mudi Care Centre, in addition to St Winifred Parish.
The decree, signed by means of the Bishop of Gboko, William Avenya, and the diocesan chancellor, Marcellinus Wende, additionally directed the withdrawal of monks, consecrated individuals and different diocesan workforce from the affected establishments.
READ ALSO: Catholic Church shuts institutions in Benue community, gives reasons
The diocese mentioned pupil hostels at St Winifred Secondary Faculty were burnt on 4 events between October 2025 and October 2026. It additionally cited repeated burglaries and different felony incidents involving church homes.
The diocese mentioned it had engaged group leaders and safety government however had now not secured the lasting protection promises required to stay its establishments running.
Despite the fact that the 2 incidents came about in numerous portions of Benue State, they have got raised recent considerations in regards to the safety of Catholic workforce and establishments within the state. The to be had studies don’t determine a connection between the priest’s abduction and the assaults cited by means of the Diocese of Gboko.
Uncover extra from Top class Instances Nigeria
Subscribe to get the most recent posts despatched for your e mail.