Benue: Catholic Diocese Confirms Abduction of Priest, Police Begin Rescue Operation
A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Otache, has been abducted by suspected gunmen in Benue State, with the police confirming the incident and assuring the public of ongoing rescue efforts.
Otache, the parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, in Ohimini Local Government Area, was reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday, October 13, while travelling from Otukpo.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo disclosed the incident in a statement released on Thursday, explaining that the priest encountered his abductors along the Qntobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in Ohimini.
The statement was signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, who expressed sadness over the incident and appealed for support in securing the priest’s freedom.
The Diocese also urged members of the public, particularly Christians, to pray for Otache’s safe and immediate release.
Confirming the abduction, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the command had received a report about the incident.
Speaking during a telephone interview on Friday, Aondongu explained that the priest was travelling from Ohimini towards Otukpo when he was reportedly abducted.
He added that security operatives were making efforts to rescue the cleric.
“The command is making efforts to rescue him,” the police spokesperson said.
