(Pastor Samuel Gbinde. Photo by Premuim Times)
A pastor and two members of his congregation have been abducted in Benue State amid rising concerns over insecurity in the area.
Samuel Gbinde, a pastor of the Universal Reform Christian Church (URCC), also known as Nongu u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST), was among those kidn@pped alongside two church members.
The General Secretary of URCC, Titus Targba, said in a statement that the incident occurred on Tuesday, noting that the victims were seized from the pastor’s residence at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State.
Mr Targba called on church members and the public to pray for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted pastor and the two church members.
He also urged security agencies, along with the Benue State and federal governments, to act swiftly to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible, stressing.
“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 church further urged the authorities to adopt more proactive measures against kidn@pping and other violent crimes, with Mr Targba adding.
“It is imperative to take the fight to the perpetrators rather than merely responding after these heinous crimes have been committed.”
The latest abduction comes amid heightened security concerns in Benue State.
An online news platform recently reported the k!lling of the Benue State chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ardo Risku, and his associate.
Yakubu Isa, on 26 June after they attended a peace meeting in Ohimini Local Government Area, a development first highlighted on social media.
Police later announced the arrest of 10 suspects in connection with the k!llings.
The NKST abduction adds to a series of kidn@ppings and violent att@cks that have continued to affect communities across Benue despite ongoing security operations and peace initiatives.
Several efforts were made by an online news platform to contact the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, for comments on the incident, but she did not respond to calls and text messages as of the time of filing this report.