RismadarVoice Reporters
October 18, 2026
A Catholic priest, Reverend Father John Otache, and three other kidnapping victims have regained their freedom following a joint rescue operation by police operatives and local vigilantes in Benue State.
The victims were reportedly rescued at about 4 p.m. on Sunday after several days of coordinated security operations aimed at securing their release.
Father Otache, the parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was abducted on Tuesday, October 13, along the Otobi Amejo–Ajegbe Road in Ohimini Local Government Area.
The priest was reportedly returning to his parish from Otukpo when armed men intercepted him and took him away.
His abduction raised concerns among parishioners and residents of surrounding communities, particularly over recurring kidnapping incidents along the route.
JOINT SECURITY OPERATION SECURES RELEASE
Local sources familiar with the operation disclosed that police personnel and community vigilantes had been working together since the abduction to locate the priest and other victims.
According to a source, the rescue operation resulted in the recovery of four abducted persons, including the cleric.
“The priest and three other persons were rescued today at about 4pm by a team of local vigilantes and the police, who have been working on the matter in the last few days,” the source said.
The source explained that the victims were taken to a hospital for medical attention following their rescue.
Although their precise medical conditions were not immediately disclosed, the source expressed optimism about their recovery.
The identities of the three other rescued victims were not provided in the initial accounts of the operation.
Details concerning the circumstances of the rescue, including whether any suspects were arrested, were also unavailable.
POLICE CONFIRM RESCUE
The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the development, stating that the security operation secured the freedom of other victims alongside the Catholic priest.
“Apart from the priest, others were also rescued today during the operation,” he said.
The confirmation followed reports from community sources who described the rescue as a significant development after several days of uncertainty surrounding the victims’ whereabouts.
The operation highlighted the role of cooperation between conventional security agencies and local vigilante groups in responding to kidnapping incidents in rural communities.
RESIDENTS SEEK STRONGER SECURITY
The rescue has brought relief to members of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, parishioners of St. Margaret’s Parish and residents of communities along the Otobi Amejo–Ajegbe corridor.
However, local sources urged security agencies to sustain surveillance and strengthen patrols along the road to prevent further abductions.
Residents have expressed concern over the threat posed by armed kidnappers to travellers, religious leaders and other road users in the area.
The latest incident has renewed attention to security challenges affecting communities in parts of Benue State, where kidnapping and attacks on civilians continue to generate concern.
While the successful rescue has ended the immediate ordeal of the four victims, community members are calling for sustained security operations to protect lives and restore confidence in movement along the affected route.
Authorities had not announced any arrests connected with the abduction at the time of this report.
