Bandits invade Benue church, abduct nine worshippers during vigil

Suspected bandits have abducted at least nine worshippers during a vigil at a church in Benue State.

The abduction occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in Utonkon district of Ado Local Government Area, local sources said on Monday.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association, Jude Onwe, said the attackers stormed the church while worshippers were observing a vigil.

“Around 2 a.m. on Sunday, those women and youths—about nine worshippers—were abducted from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Utonkon, Ado LGA, while they were at night vigil,” Onwe said.

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview, the Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Sunday Oche, said the abduction happened in the early hours of Sunday during a vigil programme.

He said the church was observing a 30-day vigil and expressed concern that organisers failed to involve security operatives.

“That is what we have been battling with. We received the sad news of the abduction, and I have mobilised all the security agencies, and we are working seriously,” Oche said.

“We had earlier advised the people that whoever is conducting any activity, especially at night, must involve security agents.

“If people hold a program that has been going on for the past 30 days without recourse to security agencies, then they are endangered.

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“There was a similar incident where some people attempted a kidnapping, but they were chased and rescued.

“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 a night activity—be it marriage, burial, or festival—extends beyond 9 p.m.”

Oche said security agencies were already on the trail of the abductors, adding that the situation in the community remained calm and that the state government was addressing the security challenges in the area.

Also confirming the incident, the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, Udeme Edet, said security personnel had been deployed.

“Tactical team already deployed to rescue the victims,” Edet said.

The abduction comes amid renewed concerns over insecurity in the state, following last year’s June massacre in Yelwata that left about 200 people dead and triggered national and international condemnation.

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