Gunmen abduct pastor and church members in Benue

A pastor and two members of his church have been kidnapped in Benue State. This has raised serious worries about safety in the area.

Samuel Gbinde is the pastor of the Universal Reform Christian Church. This church is also known as Nongu u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar.

Titus Targba, the General Secretary of URCC, shared this information in a statement. He said the kidnapping happened on Tuesday.

“The victims were taken from the pastor’s home at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State,” he explained.

Mr Targba asked church members and the public to pray for the safe return of the pastor and the two church members.

He also called on security agencies and the governments of Benue State and Nigeria to act quickly. They need to rescue the victims and catch the kidnappers.

“We further call on the relevant security agencies, as well as the Governments of Benue State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to act swiftly and decisively to secure the safe rescue of the abducted persons and ensure that those responsible for this criminal act are apprehended and brought to justice,” he stated.

The church is pushing for the authorities to take stronger actions against kidnapping and other violent crimes.

“It is imperative to take the fight to the perpetrators rather than merely responding after these heinous crimes have been committed,” Mr Targba added.

This latest kidnapping raises more fears about safety in Benue State.

The abduction adds to a long list of kidnappings and violent attacks that have hit communities in Benue. This is happening even with ongoing security operations and peace efforts in place.

PREMIUM TIMES tried to reach Udeme Edet, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, for comments. But she did not reply to calls and text messages before this report was published.