Benue Church Attack: Nine Worshippers Abducted During Vigil

During a vigil on Sunday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State, at least nine worshippers were kidnapped by suspected bandits.

According to local authorities on Monday, the attack happened at around two in the morning while the church was conducting a vigil as part of a 30-day program.

Comrade Jude, the LGA’s National Publicity Secretary for the Ufia Development Association Nine worshipers, including ladies and young people, were kidnapped from St. John’s Catholic Church as they were attending the vigil at around two in the morning, Onwe informed our correspondent.

Ado LGA Chairman Sunday Oche confirmed the occurrence and bemoaned the church’s failure to call in security personnel in spite of earlier advice.

That’s what we’ve been fighting for. I have called in all of the security services once we learned of the tragic kidnapping. We’re working diligently,” Oche declared.

Residents should involve security officers in nighttime activities, he suggested, adding that disregarding such warnings puts individuals in danger. He expressed concern that people disregard the police’s advise to call the police anytime a nighttime event, such as a wedding, funeral, or celebration, lasts past nine o’clock.

In response, Benue State Police Command spokesperson Udeme Edet stated that tactical teams had been sent to the scene to rescue the victims. “Efforts are underway to rescue the worshippers, and security personnel are pursuing the abductors,” he continued.

The most recent kidnapping underscores the state’s increasing instability following a string of violent incidents, such as the June 2025 massacre in Yelwata that left over 200 people dead and sparked national and international outrage.