Gunmen suspected to be bandits have reportedly kidnapped a seminarian after attacking the Catholic Bishop’s residence in Benue State. The Catholic seminarian, Mr. Kelvin Ochai, was kidnapped when the armed men attacked the Bishop’s residence at the Asa III area in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
NewsBits reports that Benue has remained a volatile state, with bandits and suspected violent Fulani militia mistaken as herders attacking several communities regularly. The Otukpo Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, confirmed the attack on the residence of the Bishop.
In a statement he issued on Friday, he confirmed that the incident occurred on Wednesday night. The statement said Bishop Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, “who is deeply saddened by this unfortunate development”, has called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and all people of goodwill to earnestly pray for the seminarian’s quick and safe release.
“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 added, offering prayers for the release of the seminarian and other Nigerians held by bandits and other gunmen.
