Nine Worshippers Abducted in Ado, Benue

Nine worshippers were abducted by suspected bandits from St. John's Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District of Nigeria===Ado, Benue, during a night vigil. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday. Local officials, including Nigeria===Ado, Benue Chairman Sunday Oche, confirmed the abduction and stated that security agencies have been mobilized for rescue operations. The Nigeria===Benue State Police Command, through spokesperson Udeme Edet, deployed tactical units and local vigilantes to track the abductors. Community leaders like Jude Onwe and Emmanuel Udah expressed trauma and fear among residents, calling for increased security and government intervention. This event underscores a resurgence of insecurity in Nigeria===Benue State, with previous incidents including a massacre in Yelwata. Authorities had previously advised organizers of night activities to involve security, a recommendation reportedly ignored by the church.