Catholic seminarian abducted as gunmen attack bishop’s residence in Benue

Suspected bandits have abducted a Catholic seminarian, Mr Kelvin Ochai, during an attack on the Bishop’s residence in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday when the gunmen invaded the Bishop’s residence in the Asa III area of Otukpo.

The abduction was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo.

According to the statement, the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed deep sadness over the incident and appealed to members of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and all people of goodwill to pray for the seminarian’s safe and speedy release.

The statement also entrusted the victim and other kidnapped persons across the country to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying for their freedom from captivity.

“We commit our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den throughout the country to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors,” the statement read.