Kidnapped Benue Catholic Priest, Fr. John Otache rescued

Men of the Benue state police command have rescued a kidnapped Catholic priest and seven other victims following a rescue operation in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

The command's public relations officer (PPRO), DSP Peter Aondongu, while confirming this development to newsmen, noted that two suspects were arrested in connection with the abduction.

He stated that the victims, excluding the priest, were abducted by armed men on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, while returning from a village market along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road, before Ipiga village in Ohimini LGA.

Aondongu also said that the victims were rescued in two batches, with two regaining freedom on October 16 and six others on Sunday, October 18.

The police imagemaker added that the rescued victims were subsequently taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical examination and treatment.

He listed the names of the two suspects arrested as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel, during the rescue operations.

Aondongu said that the suspects were assisting police with the ongoing investigation, while efforts were being intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal gang.