Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
At least nine worshippers were abducted in the early hours of Sunday by suspected bandits who stormed St. John’s Catholic Church at Ojije in Utonkonkon district, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. while the victims—described as women and youths—were participating in a night vigil at the church. Local sources who spoke to journalists on Monday confirmed that the armed attackers invaded the premises during the ongoing religious activity.
Jude Onwue, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association in the local government area, provided details of the abduction. “Around 2 a.m. on Sunday, those women and youths—about nine worshippers—were abducted from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Utonkonkon, Ado LGA, while they were at night vigil,” he said.
The chairman of Ado Local Government, Sunday Oche, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Monday. He explained that the church had been holding a 30-day vigil and expressed regret that the organisers failed to heed earlier advice to involve security operatives during night-time activities.
Oche emphasised that local authorities had repeatedly warned against conducting extended night programmes without security presence. “We had earlier advised the people that whoever is conducting any activity, especially at night, must involve security agents,” he said. He noted that a similar attempted kidnapping in the area had previously been foiled when victims were chased and rescued.
The chairman assured that security agencies have been fully mobilised and are working seriously to secure the release of the victims. “We assure that the victims will be rescued,” he added, while reiterating concerns over non-compliance with security guidelines for events such as vigils, marriages, burials, or festivals that extend beyond 9 p.m.
Confirming the deployment of personnel, State Police Command spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet stated that a tactical team has already been deployed to the area to rescue the abducted worshippers.
The abduction comes amid a resurgence of insecurity in parts of Benue State, following last year’s devastating massacre in Yelwata that claimed around 200 lives and attracted widespread national and international condemnation. Authorities insist that the situation in the affected community remains under control, with the state government actively managing ongoing security challenges in the region.
