Benue Police Rescue Priest and Seven Others from Kidnappers

The Benue State Police Command successfully rescued eight individuals, including Rev. Fr. John Otache of the Otukpo Diocese, who were kidnapped on October 10, 2026, while returning from a village market along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road, before Ipiga Village in Ohimini Local Government Area. The police, in collaboration with personnel from the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, launched a coordinated rescue operation after receiving a report of the abduction.

The operation resulted in the rescue of two victims on October 16, 2026, and six more on October 18, 2026. During the operation, two suspects, identified as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel, were arrested.

The rescued victims were taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Otukpo for medical examinations and treatment. The police command is committed to apprehending other members of the criminal gang and ensuring justice.

CP Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu praised the support from IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu and the professionalism of the operatives involved.