Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
At least nine worshippers were abducted on Sunday in Benue State, Nigeria, after suspected bandits stormed a Catholic church during a night vigil, marking another serious episode in the ongoing insecurity affecting religious communities in central Nigeria. The incident took place at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon district, Ado Local Government Area, where parishioners had gathered for a night vigil associated with a 30-day prayer programme when attackers struck in the early hours of the morning. Eyewitnesses and local officials reported that the assault occurred at about 2 a.m., with the victims taken while they were deep in prayer.
Local community leaders described a climate of fear and shock following the abductions, as families and neighbours attempted to come to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones. According to community representatives, many of those seized were women and young people, unarmed and vulnerable when the gunmen entered the church premises. Residents of the largely rural area said they immediately notified local security agencies, though the remote location and the hour made a rapid response challenging. The mood in the community was reported as one of mourning and heightened anxiety, with daily activities disrupted as families awaited news about the fate of the captives.
The chairman of Ado Local Government, Sunday Oche, confirmed the abductions in a telephone interview, emphasising that the incident occurred during the night vigil. He expressed regret that organisers had not engaged security operatives for the overnight gathering despite previous advisories, and stated that all available security agencies had been mobilised to pursue the abductors and rescue the victims. Mr. Oche told journalists that the council had earlier warned residents to involve police or other security personnel in any night-time events, including weddings, burials or prayer vigils, particularly in areas known to be exposed to criminal activity.
Security officials from the Benue State Police Command have also confirmed the deployment of tactical teams to the area. The command’s spokesperson said security personnel were actively searching surrounding bushland and remote paths in a concerted rescue effort, noting that intensive operations were underway to locate the missing worshippers and bring them back safely. While the security forces have pledged persistent effort, detailed updates about any progress in the rescue operation had not been publicly disclosed at the time of reporting.
This latest abduction underscores a wider pattern of violence against civilians in Nigeria, particularly in rural regions of the North and Middle Belt where bandit groups, armed gangs and other criminal elements have expanded their activities. Kidnappings for ransom and attacks on soft targets such as churches, markets and transport routes have increased in frequency over recent years, exacerbating anxiety among communities already struggling with limited security presence. Local observers and human rights advocates have repeatedly warned that isolated villages and congregations remain especially susceptible to such incursions, given the scarcity of rapid-response mechanisms and the vast, difficult terrain in many areas.
Benue State has experienced persistent insecurity linked to multiple interlocking conflicts, including clashes between farming communities and nomadic herders, disputes over land and resources, and criminal networks exploiting weak law-enforcement capacities. The violence has periodically erupted into mass killings, kidnapping operations and retaliatory incidents, resulting in displacement, disruption of livelihoods and a pervasive sense of vulnerability among rural residents. One of the most violent episodes in recent memory was the Yelwata massacre in June of the previous year, when gunmen reportedly killed scores of civilians in a brutal attack that drew wide condemnation and highlighted the depth of the security crisis in the state.
Critics of the national and state governments have argued that, despite high-level pledges to improve security and frequent deployments of police and military units, underlying drivers of violence and banditry remain unaddressed. They point to insufficient coordination among security agencies, inadequate protection for remote communities and a lack of sustainable strategies to prevent criminal groups from embedding themselves in vulnerable regions. Religious leaders and civil society groups have also called for more proactive measures, such as community policing initiatives, improved intelligence sharing and targeted development programmes to address the socioeconomic conditions that fuel local grievances.
In response to recurring attacks on places of worship, some church authorities and faith-based organisations have urged congregants to avoid late-night events or to secure appropriate security arrangements when gatherings extend into the night, especially in high-risk zones. Meanwhile, wider calls for federal and state governments to intensify efforts to protect citizens have gained traction among human rights advocates and community representatives, who argue that the safety of civilians attending religious services should be a priority for national security policy.
The abduction in Benue follows other recent incidents of violence against worshippers and clergy in Nigeria. In the neighbouring Kaduna State, gunmen carried out a predawn attack on a village, killing three residents and abducting a Catholic priest along with others, in an assault that further highlighted the perilous conditions confronting religious communities. That incident, which occurred just days earlier, involved clashes between security forces and attackers and resulted in casualties among soldiers and police officers while several hostages were taken, underscoring the complex security environment in the region.
Despite these challenges, there have been notable successes in some rescue efforts. In Kaduna State earlier in February, security services and community cooperation reportedly led to the release of more than 160 worshippers who had been abducted in church attacks, a development welcomed by families and community leaders who had endured weeks of uncertainty. That episode provided a rare instance of a large-scale resolution to a mass abduction, though officials stressed that comprehensive details about the operation’s methods and timeline were not publicly disclosed.
The families of the nine worshippers taken in the recent Benue abduction have since been closely monitoring developments, with relatives appealing for swift and effective action from security agencies. Community elders have urged calm while calling for greater transparency in rescue efforts, emphasising the emotional toll the incident has taken on those left behind. Local leaders have also stressed the importance of shared responsibility, encouraging residents to heed security warnings and work closely with authorities to reduce the risk of future attacks.
As operations to locate and free the abducted worshippers continue, the situation remains fluid and tense, with many in the broader region watching closely for updates. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats facing ordinary Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas where the reach of state security infrastructure is limited and the capacity of criminal networks remains potent.
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