Gunmen Abduct Seminarian from Benue Bishop's Residence

On Wednesday, gunmen attacked the residence of the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo in the Asa III area of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, abducting a Catholic seminarian named Mr. Kelvin Ochai. The Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday.

Bishop Most Rev. Michael Apochi expressed deep sadness over the abduction and urged members of the church and the public to pray for the seminarian's safe return. He called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and all people of goodwill to pray earnestly for the quick release of the seminarian.

The diocese also prayed for the release of other Nigerians held captive by bandits. This incident follows recent violence in Benue State, where armed herders reportedly killed at least three people and injured two others in separate attacks on Elulu and Agadagba communities.