AFRICA/NIGERIA – Priest from the Diocese of Otukpo kidnapped

Abuja – Another Catholic priest has been kidnapped in Nigeria. The victim is Father John Inalegwu Otache, parish priest of St Margaret’s Parish in Ajegbe Awume. According to a statement issued by the Diocese of Otukpo, the kidnapping took place on 13 October.
“Father John was returning home from Otukpo when he was intercepted by kidnappers along the Otobi Amejo–Ajegbe road, in the Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State,” the statement said. It was signed by the diocesan chancellor, Rev. Joseph Aboyi Itodo.
“The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Monsignor Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, deeply saddened by what has happened, invites all the faithful of the diocese and all people of goodwill to pray for Father John’s safe and speedy return home,” the statement continued.
“As efforts to secure his release intensify, united in heart and spirit, we entrust our confrere Father John, together with all others in the country who remain in the hands of their abductors, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying that they may soon be freed and return home safe and sound,” the statement concluded.
Otukpo is located in Benue State, in north-central Nigeria, and lies within the so-called Middle Belt, where clashes between farmers and herders over control of land and water resources are frequent.
On 29 July, armed men abducted seminarian Kelvin Ochai from the residence of the Bishop of Otukpo, Bishop Michael Ekwoyi Apochi. The seminarian escaped from his kidnappers on 31 July .

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