Gunmen have abducted a Catholic seminarian, Kelvin Ochai, from the residence of the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attackers reportedly invaded the residence of the Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, in the Asa III area on Wednesday, July 29, and whisked the seminarian away.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo.
Bishop Apochi described the incident as heartbreaking and appealed to Christians and people of goodwill to pray for Ochai’s safe and speedy release.
The diocese also prayed for all victims of kidnapping across Nigeria, committing them to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
However, the Benue State Police Command said the case is currently being treated as a missing person investigation.
Police spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondona, said preliminary findings showed that the seminarian left his room to take a bath in another building but did not return.
He added that about two weeks earlier, suspected kidnappers allegedly attempted to abduct the same seminarian, but he managed to escape.
“For now, we are treating it as a missing person case. Ongoing investigations will determine exactly what happened,” the police spokesperson said.
The incident comes amid increasing attacks on Catholic clergy and seminarians across Nigeria. In July, gunmen attacked a seminary in Edo State, killing a security guard and abducting three seminarians.
Earlier in June, a Catholic priest kidnapped in Borno State was held captive for several weeks before regaining freedom. In 2025, a seminarian abducted alongside a priest in Auchi Diocese was killed by his captors, while the priest was later released.
Kelvin Ochai’s disappearance has renewed concerns over the safety of religious workers and worsening insecurity in Benue State, where communities continue to face attacks from armed groups.
Security agencies have intensified investigations as the Catholic community and residents pray for the seminarian’s safe return.
