Catholic Diocese Confirms Seminarian Missing, Seeks Prayers for Safe Return

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Benue State, has confirmed the alleged abduction of one of its seminarians, Mr.

Kelvin Ochai, from the Bishop’s Residence at Asa III in Otukpo Local Government Area.
The Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Apochi, made the disclosure in a statement signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo, and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Friday.
According to the statement, the incident occurred late on Wednesday night, July 29, 2026. Bishop Apochi expressed deep sadness over the development and appealed to all Christ’s faithful within the diocese and people of goodwill to pray fervently for the seminarian’s quick and safe release.
He assured members of the diocese that every effort is being made to secure Mr. Ochai’s freedom. The Diocese also entrusted the abducted seminarian, alongside all other victims of kidnapping across Nigeria, to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying for their speedy and safe release.
As of the time this report was filed, the Diocese said there was no information regarding the whereabouts of the seminarian.
However, the Benue State Police Command said it is treating the matter as a missing person’s case rather than a confirmed abduction. Confirming the report, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Peter Aondongu, explained that the seminarian reportedly left his room to take a bath in a separate building within the Bishop’s Residence but did not return.
He stated that no one witnessed any suspicious activity or saw what happened. According to him, speculation that the seminarian may have been abducted stems from an incident about two weeks earlier when unidentified persons allegedly attempted to kidnap him, but he escaped.
DSP Aondongu said investigations are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the seminarian’s disappearance.
“They reported that a seminarian from the Bishop’s residence was missing. The report stated that he left his room to take a bath in a different building within the premises. After a while, he was nowhere to be found, and nobody witnessed what happened.
“We were also informed that about two weeks ago, some persons attempted to abduct the same seminarian, but he escaped. That is why they believe it could be a case of abduction.
“For now, we are treating it as a missing person’s case, while investigations continue to determine the exact situation,” he said.