Christians in Nigeria’s Benue state are especially joyful following the return of
one of their priests, along with seven other victims who were kidnapped..
According to the Catholic non-profit, Aid to the Church in Need, they were held
for five days. Law enforcers in Nigeria’s Bennu state have apprehended two
suspects linked to the kidnapping of the Catholic priest and the seven other captives.
The victims, among which is The Rev. John Inalegwu Otache, parish priest of
St. Margaret’s Church in Ajegbe-Awume, was freed on October 18.
According to local media, Otache was abducted on a journey from Otukpo
along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe road in the Ohimini local government area of
Benue state. They were taken to the university hospital in Otukpo for medical examinations after securing freedom.
Authorities have not publicly identified the kidnappers.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, where Otache serves, welcomed his return and
thanked Catholics and others in the region for their prayers and support.
Diocesan chancellor the Rev. Joseph Itodo said in a statement that the diocese is
announcing the news “with hearts full of joy and thanksgiving to God.”
The Otukpo Diocese welcomed the priest’s safe return and offered thanks to
other believers across the region who offered prayers and support.
In a statement, Fr. Joseph Itodo, chancellor of Otukpo Diocese, said that the priest
return was welcomed “with hearts full of joy and thanksgiving to God”.
“While giving all the glory to God, the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of
Otukpo, Rev. Michael Apochi, sincerely appreciates all the priests, religious, lay
faithful of the diocese, and all people of goodwill for their show of solidarity
and earnest prayers which led to the safe return of our brother.” He also
Reported that Fr. Itodo also asked for continued prayers for others who are still held captive across Nigeria.
“As we continue to commend to the Lord the lives of other numerous people
who are held captives by criminal gangs in various parts of the country for their
safe rescue, we pray that God will preserve us from all evil and restore sanity to
our country Nigeria,” he said.
The kidnapping-for-ransom business has become a significant economic threat
in Nigeria, with criminal gangs and terror groups turning kidnappings into a
lucrative criminal enterprise. Between July 2025 and June 2026, at least 7,825
people were kidnapped, and the ransom demanded fell from N48 billion to
N22.9 billion, while the amount actually paid more than tripled from N2.56
billion to N7.78 billion. The JAS faction of Boko Haram accounted for 90% of
the ransom paid, with two major mass abductions contributing to the majority of
the ransom amount.