Gunmen Raid Benue Church, Abduct Worshippers

Gunmen abducted nine worshippers during a night vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.

Our correspondent reports that the incident, which has caused panic in the area, involved victims who were mainly women and youths.

Residents of the area said the attackers pounced on their victims around 2am on Saturday, while prayers were ongoing inside the church.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association, an umbrella body of the people from the area, Comrade Jude Onwe, said the attack has thrown the Utonkon community into panic and mourning.

In a telephone conversation with journalists in Makurdi, HE noted that the abduction occurred in a place considered a sanctuary rather than on a highway or in a forest.

He recalled that barely two weeks earlier, a man and a woman were kidnapped in the same community around a similar time and later released after a ransom of N3 million was paid, just as he raised concerns about repeated attacks.

He said that the residents now live in fear as farming, trading, and religious activities have been disrupted by the persistent security threats.

Onwe added that the earlier victims reportedly told the community that their abductors spoke Fulani, though no official confirmation has been made on the identity of the attackers.

Also, the Chairman of Ado LGA, Sunday Oche, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with journalists in Makurdi.

Oche explained, “Yes, it is true. That is what we have been battling with. We received the sad news of the abduction and I have mobilized all the security agencies and we are working seriously.

“We had advised the people that whoever is conducting any activity especially in the night, must involve security agents. If people hold a program that had been going on for the past 30 days without recourse to security agencies, then they are endangered.

“We had an incident where some people attempted a kidnap but they were chased and rescued. This incident in question, we assure that the victims will be rescued. Our concern is that people have refused to adhere to advice to constantly involve the police whenever this night activity either marriage, burial or festival should not exceed 9pm.

“We can’t be flippant in casting aspersions because if you have suspicion you must have a concrete evidence. The security is working very hard on a clue, so it is very premature to say it out now.

“Life is normal now here. It is not a heightened situation as such. These are things that have happened at interval across the country and ours here is properly managed to ensure that it does not escalate.”

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue command, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the abduction, saying that a tactical team has been deployed to rescue the victims and secure the area.