A minimum of 9 worshipers had been kidnapped on Sunday by suspected bandits in Utonkon district of Ado Native Authorities Space, Benue State.
Native sources who spoke to journalists on Monday stated the bandits stormed St. John’s Catholic Church at Ojije in Utonkon district round 2 a.m.
The Nationwide Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Improvement Affiliation within the LGA, Jude Onwe, stated the abductors invaded the church whereas the victims had been attending an evening vigil.
“Round 2 a.m. on Sunday, these ladies and youths—about 9 worshippers—had been kidnapped from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Utonkon, Ado LGA, whereas they had been at evening vigil,” he stated.
Confirming the incident in a phone interview on Monday, Chairman of the native authorities, Sunday Oche, stated the kidnapping occurred throughout an evening vigil within the early hours of Sunday.
He famous that the church was holding a 30-day vigil and regretted that organisers ignored recommendation to contain safety operatives throughout evening actions.
Oche stated, “That’s what we’ve been battling with. We obtained the unhappy information of the kidnapping, and I’ve mobilised all the safety companies, and we’re working severely.
“We had earlier suggested the those who whoever is conducting any exercise, particularly at evening, should contain safety brokers. If folks maintain a program that has been happening for the previous 30 days with out recourse to safety companies, then they’re endangered.
“There was an identical incident the place some folks tried a kidnapping, however they had been chased and rescued.
“We guarantee that the victims shall be rescued. Our concern is that individuals have refused to stick to recommendation to continuously contain the police every time an evening exercise—be it marriage, burial, or competition—extends past 9 p.m.”
Whereas insisting that safety brokers had been on the path of the abductors, Oche stated the state of affairs in the neighborhood was regular, including that the state authorities is managing the safety challenges confronting the world.
Additionally confirming the incident, State Command spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet stated that safety personnel have been deployed to the world.
Edet stated, “Tactical crew already deployed to rescue the victims.”
The newest incident highlights the resurgence of insecurity within the state following final 12 months’s June bloodbath in Yelwata, which left about 200 folks useless and drew nationwide and worldwide outcry.