Abducted Catholic Priest, Seven Others Rescued From Kidnappers’ Den In Benue
The Benue State Police Command has rescued a Catholic priest and seven other victims from a kidnappers’ den in the state.
The victims, including Rev. Fr. John Otache of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, were freed during a coordinated operation which also led to the arrest of two suspects.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Makurdi.
Aondongu said the victims were abducted last Tuesday while returning from a village market along the Ugbokolo-Ajegbe-Awume Road, before Ipiga Village in Ohimini Local Government Area.
According to him, operatives of the Command, in collaboration with personnel of the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, were immediately deployed to the area after the report was received.
He said the operation led to the rescue of two victims on October 16 and six others on October 18, 2026.
“In the course of the rescue operations, two suspects, identified as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel, were arrested,” he said.
The police spokesman added that the rescued victims have been taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical examination and treatment.
He noted that the suspects are in custody and are assisting with investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the operatives for their prompt response and professionalism, and appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and the AIG, Police Mobile Force, for their support in the fight against violent crime in the state.
The Command reassured residents of its commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations and urged the public to continue to support the police with credible information.
