Nine worshippers were kidnapped from St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District, Ado Local Government Area, during a night vigil in the early hours of Sunday, spreading fear throughout the community.
The victims, mostly women and young people, were reportedly taken around 2 a.m. while attending a 30-day church vigil. Residents said the abduction has left families, children, and fellow congregants traumatized, with daily activities disrupted as fear grips farmers, traders, and other locals.
Mr. Jude Onwe, National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association, the umbrella group for the community, said the incident exposes the rising insecurity in rural parts of Benue State.
“Our people were praying. They were unarmed. They were vulnerable. This is not an isolated incident. Silence will kill us. We are raising our voices because our lives matter and Utonkon matters,” Onwe said.
He urged the Federal and Benue State Governments to take urgent action and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims. Onwe also appealed to religious groups, civil society organizations, human rights bodies, and the international community to support the community.
Confirming the abduction, the Chairman of Ado LGA, Mr. Sunday Oche, described the incident as unfortunate and said the council acted quickly.
“The incident is true. That is what we have been battling with. Once we received the sad news, I mobilized all the security agencies, and we are working seriously to ensure the victims are rescued,” Oche said.
He warned residents against holding night events without security coverage. “Any programme held at night, whether marriage, burial, or festival, must involve security agencies and should not exceed 9 p.m., otherwise people are endangered,” he added.
Oche also called for calm and caution in assigning blame, saying, “We cannot be flippant in casting aspersions. Security agencies are working on credible clues, and it is premature to draw conclusions now.”
DSP Edet Udeme, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, confirmed the abduction but said details are still being gathered.
