Samuel Gbinde, pastor of the Universal Reform Christian Church (URCC), also known as Nongu u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST), and two members of his congregation have been abducted by gunmen in Benue State.
The incident happened on Tuesday at the pastor’s residence located within the NKST Church premises in Andyar, Ishan Classis, Benue State.
The church’s General Secretary, Titus Targba, announced the incident in a statement, saying the victims were taken by armed men from the pastor’s residence.
He appealed to church members and the public to pray for their safe return while efforts continue to secure their freedom.
The church also called on security agencies, the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to move quickly to rescue the three victims and arrest those behind the kidnapping.
It further urged the authorities to step up efforts against kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state by taking stronger action to stop criminal groups before they strike instead of responding only after attacks have taken place.
The latest abduction has added to growing worries over insecurity in Benue State, where communities have continued to face repeated attacks despite ongoing security operations and peace efforts.
Only a few days earlier, the chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Risku, and his associate, Yakubu Isa, were killed after attending a peace meeting in Ohimini Local Government Area.
Police later confirmed the arrest of 10 suspects in connection with the killings.
