The Benue State Government has confirmed the rescue of nine worshippers abducted during a midnight prayer session at Saint John Catholic Church in the Ojije area of Utonkon community, Ado Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Governor Hyacinth Alia, through his Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, Solomon Iorpev, praised security operatives for their swift intervention.
The governor described the rescue as a significant breakthrough, commending the collaboration between conventional security agencies and local vigilante groups that led to the safe return of the victims.
The nine worshippers were abducted around 2 a.m. last Sunday during a church vigil, an incident that sparked fear across the community. The victims, said to include women and youths, were taken by gunmen who invaded the church premises.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Udeme Edet, had earlier confirmed the abduction. Family members disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million as ransom when they made contact on Wednesday, but later reduced the demand to N30 million during negotiations. The state government did not indicate whether any ransom was paid.
No details have been released regarding the identities of the perpetrators, possible arrests, or the circumstances surrounding the rescue.
Following the abduction and other reported attacks in Benue South, Governor Alia convened a high-level security meeting on February 13, 2026, at the Palace of the Och’Idoma in Otukpo. The meeting brought together members of the Idoma Traditional Council and senior security officials, where the governor directed security agencies to ensure the immediate rescue of the victims.
He assured residents that security forces would continue working closely with local vigilantes to tackle kidnapping and other crimes, and urged members of the public to provide timely information to assist in tracking down criminals.
