Suspected gunmen have abducted a Catholic priest, Reverend Father David Echioda, in Otukpo area of Benue State.

According to a source, who identified himself as Ankeli Amanyi, the priest of Otukpo Catholic Diocese was abducted Sunday afternoon while returning from a missionary journey.

Fr. Echioda, was said to have been kidnapped along Alla- Akpa Road while he was returning from where he went to conduct Sunday mass at Utonkon, Ado local government area of the state.

The abduction of the priest, who hails from Oshugbudu in Agatu local government area of the state, is coming four years after the vicar general of the catholic diocese of Otukpo and priest in charge of St. Bernard Catholic Church Ugwu Okpoga in Okpokwu local government area of the state, Rev.Fr John Adeyi, was kidnapped and later killed by his abductors.

Amanyi told our correspondent on phone that, father Echioda worked with Minor Seminary Ochobo in Ohimini local government area of the state but was sent to Ado local government area on that Sunday to conduct special mass in the area.

He explained that it was when father Echioda was returning home from Ado in the afternoon that the priest ran into his abductors who seized his phones and also took him with his car to an unknown destination.

“Father Echioda was returning back from Ado on that fateful Sunday and on reaching Alla-Akpa in Otukpo local government area, some boys stopped him, first collected all his phones and immediately smashed them to pieces.

“Then one Okada rider (motorcyclist)who ran into the scene was forced to stop and was ordered to drive them with the father’s vehicle. It was while the Okada boy was trying to park his motorcycle that he jumped into the bush and escaped. It was the Okada boy that came to break the news to the Bishop house in Otukpo.

“As I speak with you, the kidnappers are yet to open contact with anyone while his whereabouts is still unknown,” Amanyi said.

Confirming the report, Director of Information, Catholic Diocese, Otukpo, Rev. Fr. John Okopopu said that the Rev. Fr. was returning from a missionary work when he was kidnapped.

“It is true, the Rev Fr who was returning from Alla-Akpa road when he was kidnapped, unfortunately, the people (abductors) were yet to open contact with the family or anyone”, Fr. Okopopu said.

Also, when contacted, Benue Police Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, a Deputy Superintendent of Police confirmed the abduction of the priest.

“Yes, I am confirming the kidnap of the priest.”