Gunmen Abduct Nine Catholic Church Worshippers In Benue

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Gunmen Abduct Nine Catholic Church Worshippers in Benue

On Sunday, February 8, 2026, tragedy struck Saint John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State, when gunmen abducted nine worshippers during a vigil service.

The victims were reportedly taken away from the church premises while engaged in prayer, leaving the community shaken and fearful.

Emmanuel Udah, a former councillor representing Ukwuenyo Ward, confirmed the incident and described it as a deliberate and targeted crime against the Church. He lamented that innocent worshippers, gathered at a sacred place of peace and refuge, were abducted while vulnerable and unarmed.

Udah emphasized that the people of Utonkon are traumatized, living in fear, and increasingly feeling abandoned by government authorities. He noted that families are broken, children are distressed, and daily life for farmers, traders, and worshippers has been disrupted by the pervasive insecurity.

Udah further stressed that this incident is not isolated but part of a disturbing pattern of attacks in rural communities across Benue State. He called for urgent government intervention to strengthen security and prevent further assaults. He also appealed to religious bodies, civil society organizations, human rights groups, and the international community to stand in solidarity with the persecuted, demanding not only sympathy but concrete action, protection, and justice.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed the abduction through its spokesperson, Udeme Edet. She stated that the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, had deployed tactical units in collaboration with local vigilantes to track down the abductors and rescue the victims.

Authorities assured that they are actively pursuing the perpetrators of the attack.

This incident underscores the growing insecurity in Benue State, where communities continue to endure violence and abductions. It highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts between government, security agencies, and community stakeholders to restore peace and safeguard lives.