At least nine worshippers were abducted by suspected bandits in the early hours of Sunday during a vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.
Diaspora Digital Media gathered that the incident occurred around 2 a.m. while the church was observing a vigil as part of a 30-day religious programme.
Confirming the incident, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association in Ado LGA, Comrade Jude Onwe, said the victims included women and youths.
“Around 2 a.m., nine worshippers, including women and youths, were abducted from St. John’s Catholic Church while they were at the vigil,” Onwe said.
The Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Sunday Oche, also confirmed the abduction and expressed concern that the church failed to involve security agencies despite prior warnings.
“We received the sad news of the abduction, and I have mobilised all the security agencies. We are working seriously,” Oche said.
He urged residents to always involve security personnel in night activities, warning that failure to do so exposes communities to risk.
“Our concern is that people refuse to adhere to advice to involve the police whenever a night activity, whether a marriage, burial or festival, goes past 9 p.m.,” he added.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, said tactical teams had been deployed to the area.
“Security personnel are on the trail of the abductors, and efforts to rescue the worshippers are ongoing,” Edet said.
The abduction adds to growing security concerns in Benue State, which has witnessed repeated violent attacks in recent years, including the June 2025 massacre in Yelwata that reportedly claimed about 200 lives and attracted national and international condemnation.
