By Peter Duru
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo in Benue State has announced the safe return of its seminarian, Kelvin Ochai, who was abducted by gunmen at Asa III in Otukpo, Benue State, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
The Diocese disclosed that the seminarian escaped from the custody of his abductors on the evening of Friday, July 31, and made his way to Aliade in Gwer East Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State, where he was reunited with his family unharmed.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo, attributed the seminarian’s safe return to divine intervention and the prayers of Christians and well-wishers.
According to the statement, “Through the prayers of the people of God, Kelvin escaped from the custody of his abductors on the evening of Friday, 31st July, 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.”
