Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Senior Pastor of the Universal Reformed Christian Church, Andyar Ishan Classis, Saghev Council Ward in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Reverend Samuel Gbinde, has died days after regaining his freedom from suspected armed herdsmen who abducted him alongside two members of his congregation. The cleric, who was kidnapped on June 30, 2026, when armed men invaded his residence at the NKST Church in Andyar, was released after a ransom was allegedly paid, but he succumbed to severe injuries sustained during his captivity, plunging the church and the entire Guma community into mourning. His death, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, July 11, 2026, has once again highlighted the escalating wave of kidnappings and violence that has turned Benue State into one of Nigeria's most dangerous regions for clergy and ordinary citizens alike.
According to church sources, Reverend Gbinde was abducted alongside two other members of his congregation when the gunmen stormed the parsonage, taking the victims away to an unknown location where they were held for about two weeks. During that period, the pastor endured brutal treatment, including severe beatings and torture, as his captors awaited the payment of a ransom. A church member who spoke on condition of anonymity described the ordeal as traumatic, revealing that the kidnappers subjected Reverend Gbinde to intense physical abuse that left him in a critical condition by the time he was freed. The pastor's health had deteriorated so significantly that he was barely able to walk upon his release, with the left side of his body reportedly paralysed as a result of the injuries inflicted during his captivity.
After his release, Reverend Gbinde was immediately rushed to the mission hospital in Gboko in a critical state. Medical personnel at the facility fought to stabilise him, but his condition continued to worsen. He was subsequently transferred to the NKST Hospital in Mkar, where doctors discovered that he had sustained a severe head injury after being struck with a gun, which had badly affected his brain and required urgent surgery. Despite the efforts of medical teams in both Gboko and Makurdi, the pastor's condition remained critical, and he was later moved to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where he died in the early hours of Saturday, July 11, 2026.
The General Secretary of NKST, Reverend Dr. T. A. Targba, had earlier appealed to security agencies, as well as the Benue State and Federal Governments, to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and ensure that those responsible for the abduction were arrested and prosecuted. His appeals, however, came too late to save the life of the devoted servant of God. Reverend Gbinde's death has sent shockwaves through the NKST Church and the wider Benue community, with many describing him as a dedicated minister whose commitment to the service of God and humanity remained unwavering until his death. He was remembered as a compassionate figure who showed unwavering dedication to serving his congregation and the broader community.
Reacting to the tragic development, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Benue North-West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, Dr. Eunice Ortom, expressed profound sadness over the death of the pastor, describing it as a huge loss to the church and the state. In a condolence message, Dr. Ortom said, "Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde was a devoted servant of God whose life was defined by selfless service, compassion and unwavering commitment to the spiritual and moral wellbeing of his community. His death is a painful loss not only to the NKST family but also to Guma LGA and Benue State as a whole." She extended her condolences to the bereaved family, NKST Church Andyar, Ishan Classis, and the entire NKST Church worldwide, praying that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
Dr. Ortom also condemned the circumstances surrounding the cleric's death, describing it as another tragic reminder of the worsening insecurity in Benue State. She urged the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to end the wave of kidnappings, killings and violent attacks across the state. "The protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government. Rev. Gbinde's death should strengthen our collective resolve to restore lasting peace and security in Benue State," she said. Her words echoed the sentiments of many Nigerians who have grown increasingly frustrated with the government's inability to curb the rising tide of violence that has claimed countless lives and displaced entire communities across the North-Central region.
The abduction and subsequent death of Reverend Gbinde is part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on religious leaders in Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt, where clergy have increasingly become targets of kidnappers and armed groups. In recent years, several pastors, priests and other religious figures have been abducted, with some paying huge ransoms for their release, while others have lost their lives in captivity. The situation has become so dire that many churches in Benue and neighbouring states have been forced to reduce their activities, with some clergy members living in constant fear of being targeted by criminals.
Reverend Gbinde's death also raises serious questions about the effectiveness of security measures in Benue State, where armed herdsmen, bandits and other criminal elements have been operating with near impunity. Despite repeated promises by the government to improve security, attacks on communities have continued unabated, with many residents feeling abandoned by the authorities. The failure of security agencies to prevent the abduction of the pastor and his church members, and their inability to rescue them before he succumbed to his injuries, has further eroded public confidence in the government's ability to protect its citizens.
The Benue State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the death of Reverend Gbinde, and no arrests have been announced in connection with his abduction. The absence of any concrete action by the authorities has only added to the frustration of the community, which is demanding justice for the slain pastor. Many residents of Guma Local Government Area have called on the government to step up its efforts to combat insecurity and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book.
As the NKST Church and the people of Guma mourn the loss of their beloved pastor, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the insecurity that has plagued Nigeria for years. Reverend Samuel Gbinde's death is not just a loss to his family and congregation; it is a loss to the entire nation, which continues to struggle with the scourge of violence and lawlessness. His life was defined by service, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to his faith, and his death is a painful testament to the urgent need for meaningful action to restore peace and security in Benue State and beyond.
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