Gunmen Abduct Nine Worshippers During Night Vigil In Benue
Gunmen Strike Church Vigil in Ado LGA
SUSPECTED terrorists have abducted at least nine worshippers during a night vigil at St John’s Catholic Church in Ojije community, Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State, heightening fears over the worsening security situation in the state.
The attack occurred at about 2 a.m. on Sunday, while the church was holding a vigil as part of a 30-day prayer programme, according to local sources who spoke with Idoma Television. Most of the abducted victims are reported to be women and youths.
‘A Sanctuary Violated’
Confirming the incident, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association, Mr. Jude Onwe, said armed men stormed the church premises during prayers and forcefully took nine worshippers away.
“Around 2 a.m., armed men invaded St John’s Catholic Church and abducted nine worshippers who were attending a vigil,” Onwe said in a telephone interview.
He described the incident as deeply disturbing, noting that the attack on a place of worship had shattered the community’s sense of safety.
“A church is supposed to be a sanctuary. For gunmen to walk in during prayers and abduct people shows how vulnerable our communities have become,” he added.
Community Living in Fear
Onwe recalled that barely two weeks earlier, the same community experienced another abduction when a man and a woman were kidnapped at night and later released after a ₦3 million ransom was reportedly paid.
According to him, repeated attacks have crippled daily life in the area, disrupting farming, trading, and religious activities, as residents now live in constant fear of further violence.
Local Government, Police Respond
The Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Mr. Sunday Oche, confirmed the abduction and said security agencies had been mobilised to secure the release of the victims.
“We received the sad news of the abduction, and I have mobilised all the security agencies. We are working seriously to rescue the victims,” Oche said.
However, he lamented that the church did not involve security operatives despite previous advice.
“Our concern is that people refuse to involve the police whenever night activities go beyond 9 p.m. Whether it is a vigil, burial or festival, ignoring this advice puts people at risk,” he stated.
The spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the incident, saying tactical teams had been deployed to track the abductors.
Rising Insecurity Across Benue
The abduction comes amid a surge in violent attacks across Benue State, particularly in Kwande Local Government Area. On 4 February, gunmen attacked Abande community in Turan district, killing several residents and a mobile police officer on a market day. Two days later, at least 13 traders were reportedly killed in another market attack in the same area.
The latest incident in Ado LGA has further raised concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Benue, months after the June 2025 Yelwata massacre, which claimed scores of lives and sparked national outrage.
