Benue State Authorities Successfully Rescue Nine Abducted Worshippers from Ado LGA

The government of Benue State has announced the successful rescue of nine worshippers who were taken hostage during a midnight prayer session at Saint John Catholic Church in Ojije, located within the Utonkon community of Ado Local Government Area. This decision comes as a relief to local residents, following a distressing incident that raised significant concerns in the area.

The abduction occurred last Sunday amid a church vigil, which led to a wave of fear throughout the community. The state administration revealed the news of their rescue on February 15, 2026, with Governor Hyacinth Alia praising the security forces for achieving what he called a "significant breakthrough."

In a statement from Solomon Iorpev, the Governor’s Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communication, Alia commended the prompt actions of the security personnel involved in the mission.

Alia reassured the community that local vigilante groups and security agencies would work collaboratively to combat kidnapping and avert future incidents. He also encouraged the public to provide credible and timely information that might assist authorities in apprehending criminal elements.

In response to the abduction and subsequent attacks reported in Benue South, the governor convened a high-level security meeting on February 13, 2026, at the palace of the Och’Idoma in Otukpo. The gathering included senior security officials and members of the Idoma Traditional Council, during which the governor issued directives for the immediate rescue of the abducted individuals.

Emmanuel Udah, a former councillor for the Ukwuenyo Ward, previously confirmed the incident, labeling it as "a targeted and planned crime against the Church." He highlighted the trauma felt by local residents who are increasingly living in fear.

Udah urged the authorities to bolster security protocols and to take decisive action against recurring attacks in the region, cautioning that communities felt neglected despite a series of similar incidents.