The Catholic priest overseeing St. Margaret’s Parish in Ajegbe-Awume, within the Ohimini Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, Rev. Fr. John Inalegwu Otache, is said to have been abducted by unidentified gunmen.
This kidnapping was made known in a statement released on Thursday by the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo.
As stated in the release, Otache was taken on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in Ohimini LGA as he was coming back from Otukpo.
This incident has left the Catholic community worried, and the Bishop of the Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, is urging Christians and people of goodwill to pray for the priest’s safe return.
The statement quoted the bishop as saying, “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.”
“United in one heart and mind, we commend our brother, Fr. John, and all those in the kidnappers’ den throughout the country to the efficacious intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the kidnap, saying, “I can confirm that. It happened on Tuesday. He has not been rescued yet, but our teams are still making efforts to rescue him.”
