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.