Police, Catholic Diocese Give Conflicting Accounts Over Missing Benue Seminarian

Conflicting accounts have emerged over the disappearance of a Catholic seminarian attached to the Bishop’s residence in Otukpo, Benue State, with the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo insisting he was abducted, while the Benue State Police Command says it is currently treating the incident as a missing person case.

The seminarian, identified as Kelvin Ochai, reportedly disappeared on the night of Wednesday, July 29, from the residence of the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, located in Asa III, Otukpo. 

In a statement issued by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, the Diocese described the incident as an abduction and appealed to Christians and people of goodwill to pray for Ochai’s safe return.

According to the statement, Bishop Apochi expressed deep concern over the seminarian’s disappearance and assured the faithful that efforts were being intensified to secure his freedom. The Diocese also said no contact had yet been established with the alleged abductors. 

However, the Benue State Police Command offered a different account.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Peter Aondona, said investigators had not established that the seminarian was kidnapped. According to him, the report available to the police indicates that Ochai left his residence to take a bath at another location but did not return.

“For now, it is still a case of a missing person,” the police spokesperson said, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine what transpired. 

The incident has renewed concerns among Christians over the safety of clergy and seminarians in Nigeria, particularly in regions affected by insecurity. In recent years, several priests, seminarians and other church workers have been kidnapped or attacked while carrying out their ministry, prompting repeated calls for stronger security measures and greater protection for places of worship. 

As of the time of publication, no group has claimed responsibility for Ochai’s disappearance, and security agencies continue efforts to determine his whereabouts. New Man Media will provide updates as more verified information becomes available.