Gunmen abduct Catholic priest

A Catholic priest, John Otache, has been kidnapped along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, the police and the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo have confirmed.

Mr Otache, who is in charge of St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was abducted on Tuesday, 13 October, while returning from Otukpo, according to a statement by the Diocesan Chancellor, Joseph Itodo.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Benue, Peter Aondongu, also confirmed the abduction, saying efforts were ongoing to rescue the priest.

“I can confirm that. It happened on Tuesday. He has not been rescued yet, but our teams are still making efforts to rescue him,” Mr Aondongu told Vanguard.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Michael Apochi, appealed to Christians and other people of goodwill to pray for the priest’s safe release.

“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 statement said.

The diocese also urged prayers for other people held by kidnappers across the country, expressing hope for their speedy and safe release.

Vanguard reported that the abduction was the second involving a priest serving at St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume.

Related concerns over church security

The abduction comes days after the Catholic Diocese of Gboko announced the indefinite closure of Catholic institutions in Ihugh, another community in Benue State, citing repeated attacks, arson and concerns vvover the safety of its personnel.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the Diocese of Gboko, in a pastoral letter dated 12 October, ordered the closure of St Winifred Secondary School, St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St Thomas Hospital and Salus Mudi Care Centre, as well as St Winifred Parish.

The decree, signed by the Bishop of Gboko, William Avenya, and the diocesan chancellor, Marcellinus Wende, also directed the withdrawal of priests, consecrated persons and other diocesan personnel from the affected institutions.

READ ALSO: Catholic Church shuts institutions in Benue community, gives reasons

The diocese said student hostels at St Winifred Secondary School had been burnt on four occasions between October 2025 and October 2026. It also cited repeated burglaries and other criminal incidents involving church properties.

The diocese said it had engaged community leaders and security authorities but had not secured the lasting safety guarantees required to keep its institutions operating.

Although the two incidents occurred in different parts of Benue State, they have raised fresh concerns about the security of Catholic personnel and institutions in the state. The available reports do not establish a connection between the priest’s abduction and the attacks cited by the Diocese of Gboko.