Firdaus Obiremi
The priest was abducted along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road while returning to Otukpo, with the Catholic Diocese appealing for prayers for his safe release.
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a Catholic priest, Reverend Father John Inalegwu Otache, and said efforts are underway to secure his release.
Otache, the parish priest of St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, in the Otukpo Diocese, was reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.
The police spokesperson in the state, Aondongu Peter, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation, saying security operatives were making frantic efforts to rescue the cleric.
The abduction was also confirmed by the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Diocesan Chancellor, Reverend Father Joseph Itodo.
According to the diocese, the priest was returning home from Otukpo when he encountered his abductors along the road.
“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 statement read.
The diocese described the incident as unfortunate and called for prayers for the priest’s safe return.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Reverend Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed deep sorrow over the abduction and urged Catholic faithful and members of the public to support efforts to secure the priest’s freedom through prayers.
The statement added that the bishop had appealed to Christians across the diocese and other well-meaning individuals to pray for Otache’s quick and safe release as efforts to rescue him continued.
The latest incident has raised further concerns over the safety of religious leaders and residents in the area, particularly as the diocese disclosed that it was the second time a priest serving at St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, had been kidnapped.
However, the circumstances surrounding the earlier abduction, including when it occurred and the outcome, were not immediately disclosed.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not provided further details about the kidnappers or the specific measures being taken to secure the priest’s release.
The abduction adds to concerns over kidnapping and insecurity in parts of Benue State, where residents have continued to face threats from criminal elements.
The police said efforts were ongoing to rescue the priest.
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