Benue: Catholic Diocese, police give conflicting accounts on missing seminarian

The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and the Benue State Police Command have presented conflicting versions of events surrounding the disappearance of seminarian, Kelvin Ochai from the residence of the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi.

While the Catholic Diocese maintained that Ochai was abducted on Wednesday night from the Bishop’s residence in Asa III, Otukpo, the police said the incident is currently being investigated as a missing person case.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Joseph Itodo, disclosed that no communication had been received from the alleged kidnappers since the incident occurred. 

He added that efforts were being intensified to ensure the seminarian regained his freedom.

The statement read in part, “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 Bishop also assured the faithful that efforts are being intensified to secure Mr. Ochai’s freedom.”

The diocese further entrusted the safety of the missing seminarian and other kidnap victims across Nigeria to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying for their swift and safe return.

However, the Benue State Police Command said available information does not yet support claims that the seminarian was kidnapped.

Speaking on the matter, the Police Public Relations Officer, Peter Aondona, explained that investigators were handling the case as a disappearance pending further findings.

“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,” the police spokesman said.

Aondona also stated that the command had no official report of an alleged attempted abduction at the bishop’s residence about two weeks before the latest 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 said.

The police spokesperson added that investigations are continuing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding Ochai’s disappearance.