The Benue State Government has announced the successful rescue of nine church members who were kidnapped during a late-night vigil in Utonkon community, bringing relief to families and residents shaken by the attack.
The victims were seized last Sunday by gunmen who stormed Saint John Catholic Church in the Ojije area of Utonkon, located in Ado Local Government Area.
The incident triggered widespread anxiety across the community and renewed concerns over persistent security challenges in parts of the state.
In a statement issued by his Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed that the abducted worshippers had regained their freedom.
He commended security personnel for what he described as a prompt and coordinated operation that led to the breakthrough.
The governor characterised the rescue as a major success in the ongoing fight against criminality in the state.
He assured residents that the government would intensify collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Alia also appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and support security efforts by volunteering credible and timely information that could assist in their releases.
Following the abduction and a series of 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 meeting brought together members of the Idoma Traditional Council alongside senior security officials.
At the gathering, the governor directed security commanders to ensure the immediate and safe return of the captives, while strengthening measures to prevent further attacks on communities and places of worship.
The abduction had earlier drawn condemnation from community leaders. A former councillor representing Ukwuenyo Ward, Emmanuel Udah, described the incident as a calculated assault on the church and warned that residents were traumatised by recurring security breaches.
He urged authorities to reinforce protection for vulnerable communities, noting that repeated attacks had left many feeling exposed and uncertain about their safety.
Earlier, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Udeme Edet, confirmed that nine worshippers were taken during the vigil.
She disclosed that the Commissioner of Police deployed tactical units in partnership with local vigilantes to pursue the kidnappers and secure the victims’ release. Investigations into the incident, she added, are ongoing.
While details surrounding the rescue operation were not immediately made public, government officials say the safe return of the worshippers underscores the impact of sustained security coordination in the state.
Residents, however, continue to call for lasting solutions to end the cycle of abductions and restore confidence in the security architecture across Benue communities.
