A Catholic priest serving at St Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, Rev. Fr. John Inalegwu Otache, has been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.

The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo confirmed the abduction in a statement issued Thursday and signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo. According to the statement, Otache was seized on Tuesday, October 13, along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road while returning from Otukpo.

The Bishop of the Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, described himself as deeply pained by the development and appealed to Christians and people of goodwill to pray for the priest’s quick and safe release. “United in one heart and mind, we commend our brother, Fr John, and all those in the kidnappers’ den throughout the country to the efficacious intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors,” the bishop said in the statement, which also called for prayers for other kidnap victims nationwide.

It was gathered that this marks the second time a priest serving at St Margaret’s Parish has been kidnapped.

Police Public Relations Officer DSP Peter Aondongu confirmed the incident, saying: “I can confirm that. It happened on Tuesday. He has not been rescued yet, but our teams are still making efforts to rescue him.”

The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned President Bola Tinubu that some of those around him are planning to betray him in the weeks leading up to the 2027 election.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele said many people close to the president do not genuinely support him and are only waiting for an opportunity to turn against him. Referencing the recent inauguration of the APC presidential council, he claimed most attendees were present merely for show, harbouring insincerity despite their public displays of support.

The cleric further alleged that politicians defecting to the APC would weigh down Tinubu’s re-election bid rather than strengthen it, describing such defections as a distraction rather than genuine support. He urged the president to distinguish his true allies from those acting in self-interest, warning that some around him would deliberately obscure the truth and push away genuinely supportive figures to protect their own interests.

“People who surround you will not want you to see the truth, and they will drive good people away from you because of their selfish interests. These are the people you have helped, and they are going to betray you. It will be painful,” Ayodele said, cautioning that the betrayal would likely surface roughly two weeks before the election unless Tinubu acted decisively beforehand.

The prophet also advised the president against being swayed by current praise and celebration, noting that significant campaign work remains outstanding — particularly in the North, where he said Tinubu’s team has yet to build a strong presence.

Leaders of the Fulani community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State have rejected the continued presence of several security agencies in the area, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the police, the state-run Operation Rainbow, and local vigilante groups, calling instead for the deployment of soldiers.

In a viral video released Thursday, the leaders accused operatives of the DSS, Operation Rainbow, the police and local vigilantes of targeting members of their community while ignoring attacks on herders and the theft of their cattle. One speaker was heard saying, in Hausa, that the community wanted only soldiers stationed in Mangu — not the DSS, police, Operation Rainbow or vigilante groups.

The leaders also accused security operatives of illegally detaining more than 80 cows belonging to community members and alleged unfair treatment following the arrest of several armed Fulani militants in different parts of the LGA, which they characterised as targeted action against their community. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the named agencies, arguing that only soldiers could guarantee their protection and provide a sense of justice.

One speaker claimed soldiers treated Fulani herders well, while another, criticising law enforcement under the current administration, stated that soldiers “obey us.”