By Ado Oyeyemi
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo in Benue State has announced the disappearance of one of its seminarians, Mr Kelvin Ochai, describing the development as distressing and appealing for prayers for his safe return.
The incident was disclosed in a statement issued by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, who said the seminarian went missing on Wednesday at the Bishop’s Residence in Asa III, Otukpo.
According to the statement, the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed deep concern over the incident and called on members of the Catholic faithful and other well meaning Nigerians to pray for Ochai’s quick and safe release.
The Diocese said it was making every effort to secure the seminarian’s freedom while also remembering other victims of kidnapping across the country in its prayers.
However, the Diocese did not provide further details surrounding the circumstances of the incident.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Orchia Aondogwu, said the police had yet to confirm that the seminarian was abducted.
According to him, information available to the command indicates that the seminarian left his residence to take a bath at a different location but failed to return, making the case, for now, one of a missing person.
Aondogwu also addressed reports of an alleged attempted abduction at the Bishop’s Residence about two weeks earlier, saying the incident was never officially reported to the police.
He explained that the command only became aware of the alleged earlier incident after the seminarian’s disappearance.
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The police spokesperson added that investigations were ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding Ochai’s disappearance and determine whether foul play was involved.
