Grace Adeleke
A Catholic seminarian abducted by gunmen in Benue State has regained his freedom after reportedly escaping from his captors’ hideout and reuniting with his family.
The seminarian, Kelvin Ochai of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, was said to have escaped on Friday evening from the den of his abductors after days in captivity.
The Diocese confirmed the development in a statement issued on Saturday by its Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo.
According to the statement, Ochai trekked to Aliade in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State after escaping and was later reunited with his family without sustaining any injuries.
Itodo attributed the seminarian’s safe return to what he described as divine intervention and the prayers of Christians and supporters who had stood by the family during the period of captivity.
The statement read, “Through the prayers of the people of God, Kelvin escaped from the custody of his abductors on the evening of Friday, July 31, 2026, and made his way to Aliade, Gwer East LGA of Benue State. He has since been safely reunited with his family and is unharmed.”
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, also expressed gratitude to priests, religious communities, lay faithful and other well-wishers for their support throughout the ordeal.
He described the seminarian’s escape as a demonstration of God’s mercy and protection.
Ochai was kidnapped by armed men at Asa III in Otukpo Local Government Area, one of the communities in Benue State that has witnessed repeated cases of kidnapping and violent attacks in recent years.
The Diocese, however, did not disclose how the seminarian escaped from the gunmen’s hideout or whether any ransom demand was made or paid before his freedom.
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