At least nine worshippers were abducted in the early hours of Sunday after suspected bandits invaded St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon district of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State.
Local sources said the attackers stormed the church around 2 a.m. while a night vigil was ongoing and forcefully took away the victims, said to be mostly women and youths.
Confirming the incident, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association, Jude Onwe, explained that the worshippers were attending a vigil when they were kidnapped.
“Around 2 a.m. on Sunday, about nine worshippers—women and youths—were abducted from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Utonkon, Ado LGA, while they were at night vigil,” Onwe said.
The Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Sunday Oche, also confirmed the abduction and expressed regret that organisers failed to involve security agencies, despite earlier warnings.
He said the church had been holding a 30-day vigil and advised that security must always be informed when events extend late into the night.
“We received the sad news and I have mobilised all the security agencies. We are working seriously,” Oche said.
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He added that the local government had repeatedly warned residents to seek police support for night programmes such as vigils, burials, marriages, and festivals, especially those running beyond 9 p.m.
Oche assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted worshippers, stating that security operatives were already on the trail of the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed that a tactical team had been deployed to the area.
“Tactical team already deployed to rescue the victims,” Edet said.
The abduction has renewed concerns over insecurity in the state, especially after the deadly massacre in Yelwata last June that reportedly claimed about 200 lives.
