A Catholic seminarian, Mr. Kelvin Ochai, has been kidnapped by gunmen who invaded a Catholic Bishop’s residence in Benue State. 

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Wednesday, July 29, when the armed men invaded the Bishop’s residence at the Asa III area in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state. 

The Otukpo Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday, July 31. 

The statement said Bishop Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, “who is deeply saddened by this unfortunate development”, has called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and all people of goodwill to earnestly pray for the seminarian’s quick and safe release. 

“We commit our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den throughout the country to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors,” the statement added.