Authorities, Catholic Church at odds over vanished Benue theology student

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The Benue State Police Command has said it is treating the disappearance of a seminarian attached to the Catholic Bishop’s residence in Otukpo as a missing person case, contrary to reports that he was abducted by gunmen.

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The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondona, said the police had not received any official report confirming an abduction.

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He said, “The report in our possession was that the seminarian went out to take his bath and the believe is that where he went to take the bath is different from where he resides. So, after a while they didn’t see him again. For now it’s still a case of missing person.

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“The rumour of his abduction was that about two weeks back some persons came to the house and tried to abduct the semanirian but this is not official report from us.

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“It was when this incident happened that we were hearing that.”

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The seminarian, identified as Kelvin Ochai, was reported missing on the night of Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

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Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, in a statement issued on Friday by its Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, described the incident as an abduction and said no information had yet been received on the whereabouts of the seminarian.

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The statement read in part, “The Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed deep sadness over the incident and called on all Christ’s faithful within the diocese and people of goodwill to offer earnest prayers for the seminarian’s quick and safe release.

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“The Bishop also assured the faithful that efforts are being intensified to secure Mr. Ochai’s freedom.”

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The diocese further committed the seminarian, along with other victims of kidnapping across Nigeria, to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying for their speedy and safe release.

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