At least nine worshipers were kidnapped on Sunday by suspected bandits during a vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to local sources, the attack took place around 2 a.m. while the church was observing a vigil as part of a 30-day spiritual programme.
Comrade Jude Onwe, National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association in the LGA, told PUNCH Metro that “around 2 a.m., nine worshipers, including women and youths, were abducted from St. John’s Catholic Church during the vigil.”
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Ado LGA, Sunday Oche, regretted that the church did not involve security operatives despite prior warnings.
“We received the sad news of the abduction, and I have mobilised all security agencies. Efforts are ongoing,” Oche said. He urged residents to always involve security personnel in night activities, emphasizing that ignoring such advice endangers lives. “Our concern is that people refuse to adhere to advice to involve the police whenever a night activity, whether a marriage, burial, or festival, goes past 9 p.m.,” he added.
Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, confirmed that tactical teams have been deployed to the area to rescue the victims. “Security personnel are on the trail of the abductors, and efforts to rescue the worshippers are ongoing,” he said.
This latest kidnapping underscores the worsening insecurity in Benue State, which has suffered multiple violent attacks, including the June 2025 massacre in Yelwata that claimed about 200 lives and drew widespread national and international condemnation.
