No fewer than nine worshipers were abducted on Sunday by terrorists during a vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State.
According to sources on Monday, the attack occurred around 2 a.m., when the church was holding a vigil as part of a 30-day program.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association in the LGA, Comrade Jude Onwe told the newsmen that, “Around 2 a.m., nine worshipers, including women and youths, were abducted from St. John’s Catholic Church while they were at the vigil.”
Confirming the abduction, Chairman of Ado LGA, Sunday Oche, lamented that the church failed to involve security operatives despite prior advice.
“That is what we have been battling with. We received the sad news of the abduction, and I have mobilized all the security agencies. We are working seriously,” Oche said.
He called on residents to involve security personnel in night activities, adding that ignoring such warnings puts people at 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 said.
In his reaction, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, said tactical teams had been deployed to the area to rescue the victims. “Security personnel are on the trail of the abductors, and efforts to rescue the worshippers are ongoing,” he added.
The abduction comes barely a week after over 170 Christian worshipers regained freedom after being kidnapped by terrorists in Kaduna State.
