Friday, October 16, 2026 - Gunmen have abducted a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Inalegwu, in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
Otache, the Parish Priest of St. Margaret’s Parish,
Ajegbe-Awume, was said to have been abducted on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 along
the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe road while returning from Otukpo.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo confirmed the abduction in a
statement issued on Thursday, October 15 and signed by the Diocesan Chancellor,
Reverend Father Joseph Aboyi Itodo.
The statement said the Bishop of the diocese, Most Rev.
Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, was deeply pained by the incident and called on
Christians and people of goodwill to pray for the priest’s safe and speedy
release.
The statement also stated that efforts were being
intensified to secure the priest’s release as the abduction marks the second
time a priest serving at St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was kidnapped.
The spokesperson for the Benue command, DSP Peter Aondongu,
however, said the command was investigating the reported abduction.
“I don't have that report yet. They said he was coming from
Ohimini and going to Otukpo. He is a Catholic priest, a Reverend Father. They
said it happened on Tuesday," the PPRO said.
“Yes, They confirmed it. I can confirm that it happened on
Tuesday. He has not been rescued yet. Our teams are still making efforts to
rescue him.
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