Benue State Police said eight people abducted along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume road in Ohimini Local Government Area were rescued in two stages: two on Oct. 16 and six on Oct. 18. The group included Catholic priest John Inalegwu Otache and seven other travelers. Police said two suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnapping; an arrest is not a finding of guilt.

The rescue follows the police command’s Oct. 16 confirmation that the priest had been abducted. Otukpo Diocese later confirmed his return, according to Aid to the Church in Need. Public reporting does not establish the suspects’ identities or the status of any prosecution.

Sources: Premium Times, citing the Benue State Police Command (Oct. 19): premiumtimesng.com source ↗ ; Punch (police statement, Oct. 20): punchng.com source ↗ ; Aid to the Church in Need, relaying the Diocese’s confirmation (Oct. 20): acnuk.org source ↗ ; Channels Television, police confirmation of the original abduction (Oct. 16): channelstv.com source ↗