A Catholic priest travelling through Benue State has been abducted by kidnappers. Rev. Fr. John Inalegwu Otache, parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was taken on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, while travelling from Otukpo along the Otobi-Amejo-Ajegbe road in Ohimini Local Government Area.
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the incident and stated that the priest had not been rescued at the time of reporting. Security operatives are continuing efforts to locate his abductors and secure his release.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo also confirmed the abduction. In a statement released on Friday, October 16, the diocese’s Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, said the Bishop of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, was deeply saddened by the incident. The bishop appealed to priests, religious members, the lay faithful and other well-meaning Nigerians to unite in prayer for Fr. Otache’s safe return.
The diocese further extended its concern to other people currently held by kidnappers across Nigeria and asked the faithful to remember them in prayer. Although the full circumstances of the abduction have not been disclosed, the incident has renewed concerns about the security risks faced by Catholic priests and other religious workers travelling on isolated roads.
As of the latest reports, Fr. Otache remains in captivity and no confirmed information on his rescue has been made public.
