Police Rescue Catholic Priest, Seven Other Kidnap Victims in Benue, Arrest Two Suspects

The Benue State Police Command has rescued Catholic priest Rev. Fr. John Otache and seven other kidnap victims in Ohimini Local Government Area, arresting two suspects during the operation. The victims have been taken to hospital for medical examinations and treatment as investigations continue to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected gang.

Daniel Momodu · October 20, 2026 · 6

The Benue State Police Command has rescued eight kidnap victims, including a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Otache, and arrested two suspects in connection with their abduction in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday in Makurdi.

According to the statement, Otache and seven other people were abducted on Tuesday, October 13, while returning from a village market along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road, near Ipiga Village in Ohimini Local Government Area.

The police said operatives of the command, working alongside personnel of the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, launched a coordinated rescue operation after receiving a report of the incident.

The operation resulted in the rescue of all eight victims in two batches. Two victims were rescued on October 16, while the remaining six were freed on October 18.

During the operations, security personnel arrested two suspects identified as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel.

The police said the suspects were assisting investigators, while efforts had been intensified to track down other fleeing members of the suspected criminal gang and ensure that those involved were brought to justice.

The rescued victims were taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Otukpo for medical examinations and necessary treatment.

The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force for their support in combating kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Nwadiogbu also praised the officers and other security personnel involved in the operation for their prompt response and commitment to protecting lives and property.

He reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations to prevent criminal activities and improve security across the state.

The police urged residents to provide timely and credible information that could assist ongoing investigations and operations, advising them to report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station.