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Gunmen have reportedly abducted a seminarian, Kelvin Ochai, from the Catholic Bishop’s Residence in Asa III, Otukpo town, Benue State.
Our correspondent gathered that the seminarian was kidnapped on Wednesday night.
A statement issued on Friday by the Diocesan Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Reverend Father Joseph Aboyi Itodo, confirmed the abduction of one of its seminarians, Ochai, from the Bishop’s residence in Asa III.
Reacting to the incident, the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed deep sorrow over the abduction and appealed to Christians across the diocese and people of goodwill to pray fervently for the seminarian’s safe and speedy release.
Apochi assured the faithful that every effort was being made to secure Ochai’s freedom.
The diocese also committed the abducted seminarian and all other kidnapping victims across Nigeria to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying for their protection and safe return from captivity.
However, the statement did not disclose the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the seminarian.
But, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Peter Aondongu, who confirmed the incident said that the command was still treating the report as of missing person.
Aondongu explained that, “They reported that a seminarian from the Bishop residence was missing. And the report we got was that he left his room to go and take a bath. So it is assumed that where they take their bath is a room in different building from where he reside.
“So they noticed that after a while they did not see him again. But nobody saw anything. We believe that the rumours of his abduction is coming as a result of reasons.
“We were told that about two weeks ago, some persons came to the house and tried to abduct this same seminarian but he escaped. So it is why they feel it is abduction.
“For now we will see it as a missing person’s case but investigation will reveal the exact situation later.”
