Gunmen suspected to be bandits causing mayhem in parts of Benue State have abducted a Catholic seminarian, Mr. Kelvin Ochai.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Wednesday, when the armed men attacked the Bishop’s residence at the Asa III area in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.

A statement issued on Friday by the Otukpo Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo confirmed the incident.

The statement said Bishop Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, “who is deeply saddened by this unfortunate development”, has called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and all people of goodwill to earnestly pray for the seminarian’s quick and safe release.

“We commit our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den throughout the country to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors,” the statement added, offering prayers for the release of the seminarian and other Nigerians held by bandits and other gunmen.

Armed bandits on Thursday attacked Lata Nna community in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.

In the fresh attack on the community, one person identified as Mohammed Abubakar Ndapkada was abducted by the daring bandits, raising renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in the area.

The incident occurred between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., according to community sources.

Local sources told NupekoTV that shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted members of the community to confirm that Mohammed was in their custody. They also handed him the phone to speak with his brother.

During the brief conversation, Mohammed reportedly told his brother that he had been blindfolded and did not know where he was being held.

As of the time of filing this report, the abductors had not communicated any ransom demand or conditions for his release.

The latest incident comes barely weeks after security operatives repelled a similar attack in Lata Nna, underscoring the persistent threat posed by armed bandits to communities in Patigi Local Government Area.

Residents have again renewed their appeals to the state government, the Federal Government, and security agencies to urgently strengthen security operations across the area and ensure the safe release of the abducted victim.

The community has repeatedly raised the alarm over the worsening security situation in the area, with residents sending SOS messages to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and making several appeals through the media for increased military presence and sustained security intervention in Lata Nna and neighbouring communities.

They warned that, without urgent action, more communities in the area could remain vulnerable to recurring attacks by bandits.

The Yobe State Police Command has recorded major operational successes, with 407 criminal cases handled and 152 convictions secured within the year under review.

The Commissioner of Police, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Damaturu.

He said the 407 cases comprised 31 murder cases, 35 rape cases, eight kidnapping cases, 11 armed robbery cases and 322 other offences.

“A total of 448 suspects were arrested in connection with the various crimes.

“152 suspects were convicted, 127 cases are before competent courts, 69 cases are pending, 17 case files are awaiting legal advice, while 42 cases resulted in acquittal,” he said.

The CP, while highlighting key arrests, said operatives uncovered a suspected drug warehouse in Potiskum, arrested a suspected drug baron and recovered eight cartons of assorted illicit drugs, 1.5 Ghana-Must-Go bags of Tramadol and Exzol tablets, as well as N835,500 suspected to be proceeds of drug trafficking.

He noted that police repelled violent resistance from members of the syndicate and were intensifying efforts to arrest fleeing accomplices.

“The Command also carried out coordinated raids on criminal hideouts and drug joints in Jakusko LGA, leading to the arrest of 14 suspected drug dealers and users and the recovery of over 300 sachets and packages of Tramadol, Indian hemp, Vega tablets and other prohibited substances,” he added.

The Police Commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention and the protection of lives and property.