The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and the Benue State Police Command have offered conflicting accounts regarding the disappearance of seminarian Kelvin Ochai from the residence of the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi.
While the diocese insists that the seminarian was abducted on Wednesday night from the bishop’s residence in the Asa III area of Otukpo, the police have maintained that the incident is being treated as a case of a missing person pending the outcome of investigations.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Joseph Itodo, said no contact had been established with the suspected abductors since the incident occurred.
He noted that efforts were ongoing to ensure the safe return of the seminarian.
“The Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed deep sadness over the incident and called on all Christ’s faithful within the diocese and people of goodwill to offer earnest prayers for the seminarian’s quick and safe release,” the statement read.
“The Bishop also assured the faithful that efforts are being intensified to secure Mr Ochai’s freedom.”
The diocese also appealed for prayers for the seminarian and other victims of kidnapping across the country, entrusting their safety to divine protection.
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However, the Benue State Police Command said the circumstances surrounding Ochai’s disappearance had not established that an abduction had taken place.
The command’s spokesperson, Peter Aondona, explained that preliminary findings suggested that the seminarian had gone out before he could no longer be located.
“The report in our possession is that the seminarian went out to take his bath, and the place where he went is different from where he resides. After some time, he could no longer be found. For now, it is still a case of a missing person,” Aondona said.
He also dismissed reports of an alleged attempt to abduct the seminarian from the bishop’s residence about two weeks earlier, saying the police had not received any official complaint regarding the incident.
“The rumour was that about two weeks ago, some persons came to the house and attempted to abduct the seminarian, but that was never officially reported to us. It was only after this incident that we started hearing about it,” he added.
The police said investigations were continuing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the seminarian’s disappearance.
The incident has heightened concerns about the growing insecurity in parts of Benue State, where cases of abduction and violent attacks have continued to generate anxiety among residents.