Nine worshippers were abducted from St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District, Ado Local Government Area, during a night vigil in the early hours of Sunday, sparking fear and anxiety across the community.
The victims, mostly women and youths, were reportedly taken at about 2 a.m. while praying during a 30-day church vigil. Residents said the incident has left parents, children, and congregants traumatized, with daily life disrupted as fear grips farmers, traders, and other members of the community.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Jude Onwe, National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association, an umbrella body of the community, said the abduction highlights the growing insecurity confronting rural areas in 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 called on both the Federal and Benue State Governments to act decisively, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims. He also appealed to religious bodies, civil society organizations, human rights groups, and the international community to come to the aid of the community.
Confirming the latest abduction, the Chairman of Ado LGA, Mr. Sunday Oche, described the incident as unfortunate and said the council had acted swiftly.
“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 also warned residents against organizing 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 said.
Oche further urged restraint in assigning blame, adding, “We cannot be flippant in casting aspersions. Security agencies are working on credible clues, and it is premature to draw conclusions now.”
Benue State Police Command spokesperson DSP Edet Udeme confirmed the abduction but said details were still being compiled. She assured that updates would be provided as soon as they were available.
