The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Rev. Fr. John Otache, the parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Aondogu Orchia, confirmed the incident in Makurdi on Friday, saying the command had begun investigating the abduction and was working to secure the priest’s release.
Orchia said the command had commenced a “full investigation into the incident and that efforts were ongoing to rescue the priest.”
Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo disclosed that Otache was abducted on October 13 while returning home from Otukpo.
In a statement signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo, the diocese said the priest encountered his abductors along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in Ohimini Local Government Area.
According to Itodo, “Otache was returning home from Otukpo when he encountered the abductors along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in Ohimini Local Government Area.”
He expressed sadness over the incident, noting that the Bishop of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Apochi, was deeply pained by the development.
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The diocese called on priests, religious members, the laity and other well-meaning individuals to pray for the priest’s safe and speedy release.
It also urged the public to offer “prayers for other persons held by kidnappers across the country, expressing hope for their safe return.”
The latest incident comes about three months after a seminarian, identified as Kelvin Ochai, was abducted from the Bishop’s Residence in Otukpo on July 9, 2026.
Similarly, Rev. Fr. Anthony Adikwu, then parish priest of Saint Margaret’s Catholic Church in Ajegbe-Awume, Ohimini Local Government Area, was kidnapped by unidentified armed men about three years ago.
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