Benue State news today

Government news from Benue (capital: Makurdi), explained in plain English and Pidgin.
Updated 16 October 2026, 14:52 Lagos time

Today's full edition →

Latest from Benue

Security · Punch · Fri, 16 Oct 2026

Police confirm abduction of Catholic priest in Benue

The Benue State Police Command confirmed the abduction of Rev. Fr. John Otache, parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish in Ajegbe-Awume, Ohimini Local Government Area. The priest was taken on October 13 while returning from Otukpo along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road; police have started a full investigation and are working to rescue him.

Pidgin: Benue State Police Command don confirm say dem kidnap Rev. Fr. John Otache wey be parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish for Ajegbe-Awume, Ohimini Local Government Area. Di priest dem carry am for October 13 as e dey return from Otukpo along Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road; police don start full investigation and dem dey try rescue am.

How this affects you: Rev. Fr. John Otache is affected by being abducted and held by kidnappers.

Join the debate

No comments yet. Be the first.

Debate with other Nigerians: WhatsApp channel · @ST_Office2027 on X

Infrastructure · Daily Trust · Fri, 16 Oct 2026

Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Benue

Gunmen kidnapped Catholic priest Reverend Father John Inalegwu Otache on Tuesday while he was returning from Otukpo along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State. The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo confirmed the incident, noting it is the second time a priest from St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, has been abducted, and police are investigating while efforts continue to secure his release.

Pidgin: Gunmen don kidnap Catholic priest Reverend Father John Inalegwu Otache on Tuesday as e dey return from Otukpo along Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe road for Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State. Catholic Diocese of Otukpo don confirm di matter, dem talk say na di second time priest wey dey serve for St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, don get kidnapped, and police dem dey investigate while dem dey try well well to secure im release.

How this affects you: Reverend Father John Inalegwu Otache, the Parish Priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, was abducted by gunmen and has not been rescued.

Join the debate

No comments yet. Be the first.

Debate with other Nigerians: WhatsApp channel · @ST_Office2027 on X

Politics · Punch · Fri, 16 Oct 2026

Group rejects alleged coalition’s plot to oust Alia

A group called the Benue Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability rejected an alleged rainbow coalition plot involving prominent politicians and external forces to remove Governor Hyacinth Alia. The group vowed to resist the coalition, arguing that the choice of governor must be left to the electorate and not decided through secret deals in Abuja.

Pidgin: One group wey dem call Benue Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability don reject one alleged rainbow coalition wey dem say na plot by some big politicians and outside forces to comot Governor Hyacinth Alia. Di group vow say dem go resist di coalition, and argue say na only di voters for Benue go decide who go be governor, not through secret deal for Abuja.

How this affects you: Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State is affected as the group claims there is a plot to oust him from office and scuttle his re-election.

Join the debate

No comments yet. Be the first.

Debate with other Nigerians: WhatsApp channel · @ST_Office2027 on X

← All states