Gunmen have abducted a Catholic priest in Benue State. Reverend Father John Inalegwu Otache was kidnapped on Tuesday. He was abducted along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe road in Ohimini Local Government Area. Otache is the Parish Priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume. He was returning from Otukpo when the gunmen struck.
Kidnapping of clerics is a recurring problem in Nigeria. In 2022, gunmen abducted a Catholic priest in Kaduna. In 2023, another priest was kidnapped in Edo. In 2024, similar incidents occurred in Anambra and Imo. The pattern reflects the expansion of kidnapping networks beyond the traditional hotspots. Benue State has faced repeated attacks. Herder-farmer violence has killed thousands. Banditry has added to the insecurity. Priests are targets because their families and parishes can raise ransom. The church is a source of funds.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo confirmed the abduction. The Diocesan Chancellor, Reverend Father Joseph Aboyi Itodo, signed a statement issued on Friday. The Bishop of the diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, was deeply pained by the incident. He called on Christians and people of goodwill to pray for the priest’s safe and speedy release. Efforts were being intensified to secure his release.
The abduction marks the second time a priest serving at St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was kidnapped. The first incident was not detailed. The Police Public Relations Officer for Benue command, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the abduction. “I don’t have that report yet. They said he was coming from Ohimini and going to Otukpo,” Aondongu said. “Yes, they confirmed it. I can confirm that it happened on Tuesday. He has not been rescued yet. Our teams are still making efforts to rescue him.”
Winners: The kidnappers, who gained a hostage. No one else. Losers: Reverend Father Otache, who remains in captivity. His family and parishioners. The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, which faces another crisis. Benue State, which remains unsafe. The police, whose rescue efforts are ongoing.
Bottom Line: A priest was abducted. He was returning from a journey. The kidnappers struck on a rural road. His parish has been targeted before. The church prays. The police search. The kidnappers wait. Benue’s roads remain dangerous. The cycle continues.