Prosper Okoye
Gunmen abducted nine worshippers from a Catholic church in Nigeria’s Benue state, police said Monday.
The worshippers were taken Sunday night during a vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, a community in Ado local government area, according to police and local officials.
A former local councillor, Emmanuel Udah, said the attackers stormed the church while worshippers were praying and took nine people away. He said residents are in shock and fear more attacks.
“This was a targeted attack on a place of worship,” Udah said, calling on authorities to increase security in the area.
Benue state police spokesperson Udeme Edet confirmed the abductions and said the state’s police commissioner had deployed tactical units and local vigilantes to track the gunmen and rescue the victims.
She said security forces were pursuing the attackers but gave no further details.
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Kidnappings for ransom are common in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the north and central regions, where armed gangs and criminal groups frequently target travellers, villagers and religious gatherings.
Benue has been among the states hit by repeated attacks in recent years.
No group has claimed responsibility for Sunday’s abduction.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
