MAKURDI – Panic has gripped the Ojije community in the Utonkon district of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State, following the abduction of nine worshippers by unidentified gunmen during a late-night church service.
The brazen attack occurred in the early hours of Monday at St. John’s Catholic Church, where congregants had gathered for a scheduled night vigil. According to local witnesses, the attackers stormed the premises while the service was in full swing, creating a scene of absolute pandemonium before whisking their victims away into the nearby forest.
Confirming the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, stated that the command received the distress call shortly after the breach.
“The victims were worshipping at the church when the gunmen struck. It is a distressing situation, but we are taking every necessary step to bring them home,” Udeme said.
In response to the crisis, the State Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of all tactical units to the Utonkon axis. These teams, comprising the anti-kidnapping squad and local operatives, are currently combing the surrounding bushes in a coordinated rescue mission.
The abduction adds to the growing security concerns in Benue, a state currently governed by Rev. Hyacinth Alia, himself a Catholic priest. Community leaders in Ado LGA have expressed deep frustration over the vulnerability of religious gatherings, calling for a permanent security presence in rural outposts.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and no ransom demands have been reported as of Monday evening, the Police Command has urged residents to remain calm and provide any credible information that could assist in the investigation.
“The command remains resolute in its mandate to ensure that every resident of Benue can practice their faith without fear of violence,” Udeme added.
The incident remains a developing story as families of the abducted worshippers await word from the authorities or the captors.
