Gunmen have abducted nine worshippers from Saint John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims were reportedly taken during a vigil on Sunday inside the church premises, according to Channels news
A former councillor representing Ukwuenyo Ward, Emmanuel Udah, confirmed the incident on Monday. He described the abduction as “a targeted and planned crime against the Church, when innocent worshippers were at the most sacred ground, a place of worship, a place for peace, and refuge, only to be abducted, while praying, vulnerable and unarmed.”
Udah said the community is traumatized and no longer feels safe. He called on authorities to beef up security and address the continuous attacks in the state.
“The people of Utonkon are living in fear, families are broken, children are traumatised, farmers, traders, worshippers, are all trapped as no one feels safe anymore in our land,” he stated.
He also appealed to the Church, civil society, and the international community to speak out. “We are not asking for sympathy alone. We are asking for attention, protection, and justice. Let the world know that Utonkon matters,” Udah added.
The spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, confirmed the abduction of nine worshippers. She said the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, has deployed tactical units working with local vigilantes to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims.
