The chairman of Ado Local Government Area in Benue State, Sunny Oche, says the armed gang behind the abduction of nine worshippers from St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon, infiltrated the area from a neighbouring state, underscoring the cross-border nature of insecurity in the border community. Oche made the disclosure in Makurdi during a courtesy visit by members of the Ezza Ezekuna People’s Patriotic Congress to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har.
Oche also pushed back against reports that ransom was paid for the victims’ freedom. He said the nine worshippers, who were abducted during a night vigil on February 7, were rescued unharmed about a week later through the efforts of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and other security operatives, without any payment to the kidnappers. That account aligns in part with earlier reporting in February that the victims were released and that arrests were made after the church abduction.
According to Oche, the operation reflected improving cooperation between the local government, the Civil Protection Guards and other security agencies operating in Ado, an area that borders both Ebonyi and Cross River states. He said the rapid response had boosted confidence in local security architecture and demonstrated the importance of collaboration in tackling kidnapping, cattle rustling and banditry.
The council chairman also commended the Ezza Ezekuna People’s Patriotic Congress for supporting local security efforts, particularly through the donation of two combat motorcycles to improve the mobility of the Civil Protection Guards. He called for stronger cooperation among communities, local authorities and security agencies to confront emerging threats across the area.
Responding during the visit, security adviser Joseph Har reportedly praised personnel in Ado for what he described as commendable performance, but warned that the local government’s border position leaves it exposed to evolving criminal tactics. He said the current number of personnel was not enough to effectively police the terrain and stressed the need for more recruitment, as well as continued training and retraining of security operatives.
The church abduction had drawn wider concern in February because the victims were reported to be young worshippers taken during a vigil at the St. John mission in Ojije. Catholic news agency Fides reported at the time that the rescued victims included six girls and three boys and that they were taken to hospital for treatment after regaining freedom.
For Benue authorities, the latest remarks appear aimed at reinforcing two messages: that insecurity in Ado is being driven partly by spillover from outside the state, and that stronger local-community support will be crucial in preventing future attacks.
