Gunmen have abducted a pastor and two members of his congregation from a church residence in Benue State, according to the leadership of the Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar Church.
The church disclosed the incident in a statement issued Tuesday by its Executive Committee.
According to the statement, the victims were abducted in the early hours of Tuesday from the residence of the pastor at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State.
The church identified the pastor as Rev. Samuel Gbinde.
“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, Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, along with two members of his congregation, in the early hours of today,” the statement said.
The church called on its clergy, members and supporters to pray for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted victims.
It also appealed to security agencies and the Benue State and Federal Governments to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and bring those responsible to justice.
“We further 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,” the statement said.
The church urged the Benue State and Federal Governments to adopt more proactive and sustained measures to address kidnapping and other security challenges.
“It is imperative to take the fight to the perpetrators rather than merely responding after these heinous crimes have been committed,” the statement added.
The church expressed confidence that the victims would return safely and prayed for peace and improved security across the country.
The Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report. Efforts to obtain the command’s reaction were ongoing.
