[REVISION HISTORY]

Abduction and rescue of Catholic priest in Nigeria

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2026-10-20 12:21 UTC → 2026-10-20 23:43 UTC · added ~~removed~~

On October 13, 2026, Father John Inalegwu Otache, the priest in charge of Saint Margaret’s Parish in Ajegbe-Awume, was abducted by unknown gunmen in Benue State, Nigeria. The kidnapping took place while the priest was traveling along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe road in the Ohimini Local Government Area. The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo confirmed the abduction, noting that this was the second time a priest from the parish had been kidnapped. While police initially confirmed that rescue operations were underway, the priest remained missing for several days. On October 18, 2026, the Benue State Police Command announced that security forces had rescued Father Otache along with five other individuals. Further details revealed that the rescue in the Ohimini Local Government Area was conducted in two stages on October 16 and October 18. During these operations, police arrested two suspects, identified as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel. Following his release, the victims were transferred to Otukpo University Hospital for medical examinations. On October 19, 2026, reports indicated that security agencies in Benue State had rescued a total of eight individuals, including the Catholic priest, through the two separate operations conducted on October 16 and October 18.

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