Police confirm kidnap of Catholic priest in Benue
The police command in Benue has confirmed the abduction of John Otache, parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, in Ohimini council area.
Police spokesperson Aondogu Orchia confirmed the kidnap on Friday. Mr Orchia said the command had commenced a full investigation into the incident and efforts were ongoing to rescue the priest.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, in a statement signed by the diocesan chancellor, Joseph Itodo, said the priest was abducted on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Mr Otache was returning home from Otukpo when he encountered the abductors along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road in Ohimini.
The church expressed sadness over the kidnap, saying the Bishop of Otukpo, Michael Apochi, was pained by the development and called on priests, religious members, the laity and other well-meaning individuals to pray for the priest’s safe and speedy release.
It also urged prayers for other persons held by kidnappers across the country, expressing hope for their safe return.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Senator calls for inter-agency collaboration to recover NELFUND loans
The senator said such collaboration would help identify beneficiaries who have secured employment and facilitate loan recovery.
Health
FG, states urged to scale up micronutrient supplements for pregnant women
The expert said approximately 1.3 million Nigerian women had received the supplements since their introduction in 2021.
States
Kidnapped couple, six-month-old baby regain freedom in Kaduna
A couple, Ahmed Zakka, his wife and their six-month-old daughter, Fatima, abducted in Kaduna, have regained their freedom.
States
Kano hosts International Poetry Festival to showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage
The Poetic Wednesdays Initiative has organised an international poetry festival in Kano to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and promote indigenous languages.
World
Venezuela’s Maduro, wife plead not guilty to torture charge in U.S. court
Mr Maduro, who spoke through a translator, described the allegations as false.
NationWide
Tinubu nominates four INEC commissioners, two RECs
Mr Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the nominees’ confirmation in view of the forthcoming general elections next January.
