A Catholic priest abducted in Benue State has regained his freedom after security personnel rescued him alongside five other kidnap victims in a Sunday operation.
Gatekeepers News reports that Reverend Father John Otache, parish priest of St. Margaret Catholic Church in the Ajegbe-Awume area of Ohimini Local Government Area, was abducted on October 13, 2026.
Aondogu Orchia, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, confirmed the rescue in a statement on Monday, saying the victims were recovered by security personnel on Sunday, October 18.
According to the police spokesperson, the rescued victims were taken to Otukpo Teaching Hospital for medical examinations.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo had earlier disclosed that Otache was returning home from Otukpo when he encountered his abductors along the Otobi-Amejo-Ajegbe road in Ohimini Local Government Area.
Joseph Itodo, chancellor of the diocese, said the incident had caused sadness within the Catholic community, adding that Michael Apochi, bishop of the diocese, was deeply pained by the priest’s abduction.
Otache’s release comes amid renewed concerns over attacks and kidnappings in parts of Benue State, with religious institutions and communities facing security challenges.
The incident also follows the abduction of Kelvin Ochai, a seminarian, from the bishop’s residence in Otukpo about three months earlier. Ochai regained his freedom after escaping from his captors on July 31.
In a separate development linked to the security situation, the Catholic Diocese of Gboko ordered the temporary closure of some of its institutions in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area, following what it described as repeated attacks in the community.
The directive, announced by Bishop William Avenya and the diocese’s chancellor, Marcellinus Wende, affected St. Winifred Girls Secondary School, St. Thomas Hospital, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, and St. Winifred Parish. Pastoral agents were also withdrawn from the community.
