The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo has announced the abduction of one of its seminarians, Mr. Kelvin Ochai, describing the incident as deeply distressing.
This was contained in a statement by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, who said the incident occurred on Wednesday, at the Bishop’s Residence in Asa III, Otukpo, Benue State.
He said the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed deep sadness over the incident and appealed to members of the Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill to pray for the seminarian’s quick and safe release.
Fr Aboyi said Diocese is intensifying efforts aimed at securing Ochai’s freedom and also remembers others currently being held by kidnappers across the country in its prayers.
The Diocese did not disclose further details about the circumstances surrounding the abduction as at the time of filing this report.
However, when contacted, the Spokesman of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Orchia Aondogwu said the command had yet to establish that the seminarian was kidnapped.
“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.”
Aondogwu added that reports of an attempted abduction at the residence about two weeks earlier had not been officially reported to the command.
“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,” he said.
He said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the seminarian’s disappearance.
BREAKING: Benue Catholic Diocese announces abduction of seminarian