#Nigeria #Benue – Fr. John Inalegwu Otache, parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish (Sainte-Marguerite) in Ajegbe-Awume, Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, was kidnapped on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, while returning home from Otukpo.
He encountered his abductors along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road (also reported as Otobi-Amejo-Ajegbe Road) in Ohimini LGA, according to a statement from the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo signed by Diocesan Chancellor Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo (also referred to as Joseph Aboyi Itodo). The diocese described the incident with “great sadness” and noted that Bishop Most Rev. Michael Apochi (Michael Ekwoyi Apochi) was deeply pained by the development.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the abduction. Police Public Relations Officer DSP Aondogu Orchia (also identified in reports as Aondongu Peter or Peter Aondongu) stated that a full investigation had begun and that efforts were underway to rescue the priest. As of reports on October 16, Fr. Otache had not yet been freed, and tactical teams continued search-and-rescue operations.
The diocese urged priests, religious members, the laity, and people of goodwill to pray for Fr. Otache’s quick and safe release, as well as for other kidnapping victims across Nigeria. It also commended the priest and others held captive to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Aid to the Church in Need and other Catholic outlets noted the case amid ongoing security concerns for clergy in the region.
This marked the second abduction of a priest serving at St. Margaret’s Parish in Ajegbe-Awume. In mid-June 2023, Rev. Fr. Anthony Adikwu, then the parish priest, was seized by armed men who stormed the parish premises around 10 p.m. on or about June 15–16. Security forces, including the Operation Zenda special unit, mounted a pursuit that pressured the kidnappers into releasing him roughly six days later, around June 20–21, without a reported ransom payment. He was reunited with the church community after receiving medical attention.
The latest abduction heightened anxiety among local Catholic faithful and clergy, who already face risks while traveling rural roads to serve remote parishes in Benue State. Police continued investigations into the circumstances and the identities of the perpetrators as of the most recent available reports. No further public updates on Fr. Otache’s status had emerged by mid-October 2026.
Cover Image: Fr. John Inalegwu Otache.
