Police confirm abduction of Catholic priest in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Rev. Fr. John Otache, the parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, located in the Ohimini Local Government Area. DSP Aondogu Orchia, the Police Public Relations Officer, stated in Makurdi on Friday that a full investigation into the incident has commenced and efforts to rescue the priest are ongoing.

According to a statement from the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, the priest was abducted on October 13. The Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo, reported that Otache was traveling home from Otukpo when he encountered abductors along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road. The Bishop of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Apochi, expressed deep pain over the development, and the Diocese has called for prayers for the priest's safe and speedy release.

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