Coming few days after a series of violent attacks by Armed Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) leading to the death of about 33 Christian in some parts of Benue State, the abduction of 9 worshippers from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in the Utonkon district of Ado Local Government Area of the same state, highlights growing insecurity in the middle belt region of Nigeria.
Google map location of the incident
The gunmen reportedly invaded the church premises in Ojije, located within the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, while prayers were ongoing.
They allegedly fired sporadic gunshots to create panic, and forcefully took away nine worshippers, mostly women and youths, and whisked them away into the surrounding bush.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen struck at about 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, during an overnight vigil at the church, stating that Utonkon District has increasingly become vulnerable to attacks by armed groups.
Although the motive has not been officially stated, Jude Onwe, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association, claimed the attack fits a growing pattern of ransom-related abductions in the area.
He recalled that a man and a woman were kidnapped in the same community about two weeks earlier and released after a ₦3 million ransom was paid.
Unknown Gunmen. Credit: www.vanguardngr.com
Onwe added that the gunmen “pounced on their victims inside a place that should be a sanctuary, not on the highway or in the forest,” adding that the community has been thrown into panic.
He claimed that previous victims told residents their abductors spoke Fulani, though he admitted there is no official confirmation of the attackers’ identity.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen arrived suddenly, firing shots into the air to scare worshippers before dragging the victims away into the bush.
Many Church members reportedly escaped by running into nearby homes and farmlands, leaving their items, including Bibles, behind.
Screenshot of the vandalised altar. Credit: Channels Television
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Sunday Oche, said, “Yes, it is true. We received the sad news of the abduction, and I have mobilised all the security agencies and we are working seriously,” assuring that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims while urging residents to always involve security agencies in night activities.
The incident was later confirmed by the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, who affirmed that, “Nine persons were abducted from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, during a night vigil.”
He added that “the Commissioner of Police has ordered the deployment of tactical teams to the area, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims,” noting that as of the time of filing this report, the identities of the abducted worshippers were yet to be disclosed.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Apochi, has previously called for prayers following similar insecurity in the region.
Bishop Apochi has historically been vocal regarding such violence in the region. He has previously urged organisations like the Knights of St. Mulumba to actively defend the Church and its clergy against escalating “vile and satanic” attacks.
In similar crises, such as the July 2025 attacks in Apa LGA, the Bishop personally visited victims of the herdsmen attack on Edikwu Ankpali community, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, to offer pastoral care and solidarity.
The Bishop who expressed solidarity with the victims and prayed for God to console them in their time of pain assured them that they are “not alone.”
