Gunmen Abduct Benue Pastor, Church Members

A pastor and two members of his congregation have been abducted by unknown gunmen in Benue State, in a fresh attack that has deepened concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of the state.

The victims include Samuel Gbinde, a pastor with the Universal Reform Christian Church (URCC), also known as Nongu u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST).

The incident was confirmed in a statement issued by the General Secretary of the church, Titus Targba, who said the abduction occurred on Tuesday at the pastor’s residence in the Ishan area.

According to the statement, the victims were taken from the pastor’s residence located at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State, by armed men who stormed the area and whisked them away to an unknown destination.

“The victims were abducted from the pastor’s residence at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State,” Mr Targba said.

The church expressed concern over the incident, calling for prayers and calm among members while urging authorities to act swiftly to secure the victims release.

The URCC said it is trusting in divine intervention but also called on security agencies and government authorities at both state and federal levels to intensify rescue efforts.

“It is with a heavy heart, yet with unwavering confidence in the sovereignty of Almighty God, that we announce the unfortunate abduction of our cleric,” the statement read.

Mr Targba further urged security agencies to not only rescue the victims but ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

“We 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 said.

He also stressed the need for more proactive security measures, saying authorities must move beyond reactive responses to kidnapping incidents.

The latest abduction adds to a growing list of violent incidents in Benue State, where communities have continued to face recurring cases of kidnapping and armed attacks despite ongoing security operations.

In recent weeks, the state has also witnessed other violent episodes, including killings linked to local conflicts, further heightening public anxiety over safety in rural and semi-urban communities.

As of press time, police authorities in Benue State had yet to issue an official statement on the incident and efforts to reach the police spokesperson were unsuccessful.