Benue: Catholic Priest Abducted By Unknown Gunmen

By Ayodele Oni

Members of Catholic faith in Okpoga community in Benue state may celebrate Christmas without their priest.

This is because Reverend Father Mark Ojotu, Chaplain of St Mary’s Hospital, Okpoga, in Okpokwu Local Government area of Benue State, has been reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

It was learnt that the incident, which happened on Thursday when the people were preparing for celebration, had plunged residents of the community into panic.

A statement issued by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev Fr Joseph Aboyi Itodo, said the Bishop of Otukpo Catholic Diocese, His Excellency, Most Rev Fr Michael Apochi, has called on Christian faithful across the country to pray for the quick and safe release of the priest.

Venue south senatorial district has witnessed series of high profile kidnapping since the beginning of the year.

The Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, late Rev Fr John Adeyi, was kidnapped from the same parish in Okpoga in 2016 by assailants who later killed him.