Gunmen invade Benue bishop’s home, kidnap seminarian

Suspected bandits have kidnapped a Catholic seminarian named Mr Kelvin Ochai. This happened after they attacked the residence of a Catholic bishop in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident took place on Wednesday when the gunmen invaded the Bishop’s residence in the Asa III area of Otukpo, according to DailyPost.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, confirmed the attack in a statement on Friday. He said the seminarian was taken by the assailants during the invasion.

Itodo mentioned that the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Apochi, is very sad about this incident. He has called on church members and the public to pray for the seminarian's safe return.

The statement said, “Bishop Michael Ekwoyi 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.

“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 diocese also included prayers for the release of other Nigerians who are being held by bandits and other criminal groups.

This latest abduction comes just days after new violence hit parts of Benue State. Suspected armed herders reportedly killed at least three people and injured two others in separate attacks on Elulu and Agadagba communities in Ohimini Local Government Area.

The attacks happened between July 24 and Saturday night. Local residents said the assailants attacked Elulu first and then struck Agadagba the following night.