The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the kidnapping of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Otache of Otukpo Diocese.
In a phone chat, the spokesperson of the Benue Police Command, Aondongu Peter, said the priest was abducted on Tuesday. He noted that the police are making frantic efforts to rescue the priest.
Otache is the Parish Priest of St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo, said Otache was kidnapped on Tuesday, 13th October, 2026, along Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in the Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State while returning from Otukpo.
“It is with great sadness that we write to notify you of the kidnapping of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. John Inalegwu Otache. He is the Parish Priest of St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe – Awume. The unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday, 13th October, 2026. Fr. John was going home from Otukpo when he ran into the kidnappers along Otobi Amejo–Ajegbe Road in Ohimini LGA, Benue State,” the statement read in part.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed regret at the incident and called on all faithful and people of goodwill to pray for the quick and safe release of Fr. John as efforts are intensified to secure his freedom.
“The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, is deeply pained by this sad development and has earnestly requested all Christ’s Faithful in the Diocese and all people of goodwill to pray for the quick and safe release of Fr. John as we intensify efforts to ensure his release,” the Diocese of Otukpo said.
This is the second time a priest from St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, has been kidnapped.
