In a brazen assault that shattered the sanctity of a late-night prayer session, terrorists invaded St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State, and seized nine worshippers around 2 a.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
The victims, primarily women and youths engaged in a 30-day vigil program, now face an uncertain fate as local communities reel from the shock, amplifying calls for urgent security interventions in Nigeria’s volatile North-Central region.
Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing scene as the terrorists surrounded the church premises, interrupting the solemn prayers with sudden force.
Jude Onwe, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association, detailed the chaos in a phone interview: “Around 2 a.m., armed men invaded St John’s Catholic Church and abducted nine worshippers who were attending a vigil.”
Parents and relatives gathered at the site later that morning, their wails echoing through the community as they mourned the loss and pleaded for the safe return of their loved ones.
Meanwhile, authorities swiftly acknowledged the attack.
The Benue State Police Command, through spokesperson DSP Edet Udeme, confirmed the incident and mobilized tactical teams to pursue the terrorists and secure the area.
Ado Local Government Chairman Sunday Oche echoed this response, urging residents to avoid night gatherings beyond 9 p.m. without police protection, a measure aimed at curbing further vulnerabilities in the region.
This abduction intensifies the ongoing security crisis in Benue State, where terrorist activities have escalated in recent weeks.
Just days prior, deadly attacks in Kwande Local Government Area claimed lives and displaced families, highlighting a pattern of targeted violence against vulnerable communities.
Nationwide, over 160 worshippers have fallen victim to similar church kidnappings in the past month, fueling tensions between herders and farmers while exposing gaps in federal and state security frameworks.
However, local leaders remain resolute. Onwe emphasized the community’s resilience amid the trauma, noting how the attack has disrupted daily life for farmers and traders alike.
As investigations unfold, residents demand stronger patrols and intelligence operations to dismantle terrorist networks.
For now, the fate of the nine abducted worshippers hangs in the balance, a stark reminder of the urgent need for peace in Benue’s troubled heartland.
