Gunmen have abducted the Catholic Priest in charge of Saint Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, sending fear down the spines of the entire Catholic community. The Priest, Rev. Fr. John Inalegwu Otache, was intercepted and abducted on Tuesday along the Otobi-Amejo-Ajegbe road in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state. New Telegraph gathered that the priest was returning home from Otukpo when he ran into his abductors along the lonely stretch of road.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo confirmed the incident in a statement by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo. The Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, in the statement said he is deeply pained by the development and has called on all priests, religious, lay faithful and people of goodwill to pray for the quick and safe release of Fr. John. The statement reads in part: “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.”
The abduction of Fr. Otache had added to the growing list of priests targeted by kidnappers in Benue State in recent times, raising fresh concerns over the safety of clerics who traverse remote roads to serve rural parishes. As of the time of filing this report, efforts to secure his release were said to have been intensified, while the faithful continue in prayer for his safe return.
The incident has heightened fear and distress across the local Catholic community and clergy following a series of security challenges and kidnappings targeting religious figures in the region.
