Gunmen Abduct Seminarian from Bishop's Residence in Nigeria's Benue State

A seminarian, Kelvin Ochai, has been abducted following an attack on the residence of the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo in Benue State, Nigeria. The incident occurred Thursday at the bishop's residence in the Asa III area of Otukpo Local Government Area.

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Bishop Michael Apochi, who is deeply saddened by this unfortunate development, has called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and all people of goodwill to earnestly pray for the seminarian’s quick and safe release.

Joseph Itodo, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, confirmed the attack in a statement Friday. He conveyed that Bishop Michael Apochi is deeply saddened and has urged Christians and the public to pray for the seminarian's swift and safe return. "We commit our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den throughout the country to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors," the statement read, also extending prayers for other Nigerians held captive.

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We commit our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den throughout the country to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors.

However, the Benue State Police Command has not yet confirmed the kidnapping. Police Public Relations Officer Peter Aondongu stated that the command is currently treating the incident as a missing person case. According to the police report, the seminarian reportedly left his residence to bathe and could not be found afterward.

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The report in our possession is that the seminarian went out to take his bath, and the place where he went is different from where he resides. After some time, he could no longer be found. For now, it is still a case of a missing person.

Mr. Aondongu also mentioned that reports of a prior attempted abduction at the residence approximately two weeks ago were never officially reported to the police. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Ochai's disappearance. This abduction adds to escalating security concerns in the region, particularly in Otukpo and surrounding local government areas, which have recently seen other violent attacks.

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The rumour was that about two weeks ago, some persons came to the house and attempted to abduct the seminarian, but that was never officially reported to us. It was only after this incident that we started hearing about it.