Benue State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the abduction of nine worshippers from St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije community, Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area.
Gatekeepers News reports that the victims were kidnapped on February 8 while observing a night vigil at the church but were rescued a few days later following coordinated operations by security agencies.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Udeme Edet, said sustained intelligence-led operations led to the arrests, adding that efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the criminal network who are currently on the run.
She explained that investigations are being handled by the criminal investigation department in collaboration with the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team.
According to her, two of the suspects, Abubakar Jibril and Ashiru Ibrahim, were first arrested on February 11 after operatives of the Ado Division acted on credible intelligence.
“On 11th February 2026, operatives of the Ado Division, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two suspects – Abubakar Jibril (male) and Ashiru Ibrahim (male) — in connection with the night-vigil kidnapping incident,” she said.
“The suspects were found in possession of five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. In line with established investigative procedures, the suspects were handed over to the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team for further investigation.”
Edet added that a follow-up operation on February 14 led to a raid on the hideout of Ashiru Ibrahim, resulting in the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and eight additional rounds of ammunition. She said two more suspects believed to be key members of the kidnapping syndicate were also arrested during the operation.
“The operation led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and eight rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, as well as the arrest of two additional suspects believed to be key members of the kidnapping syndicate,” she said.
“Investigations so far have clearly established that the arrested suspects are directly linked to the abduction that occurred during the night vigil at St. John Catholic Church. As a result of sustained pressure mounted through coordinated search-and-rescue operations across the Ado axis and adjoining communities, the kidnapped victims were successfully released unhurt.”
The police spokesperson further disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police approved the deployment of the Nigeria Police Air Wing and additional tactical units to Benue State to boost surveillance, intelligence gathering, and rapid response operations.
She said the move is aimed at strengthening security across the state and reducing the operational capacity of kidnapping gangs and other criminal groups.
The state commissioner of police, Ifeanyi Emenari, commended the Benue State Government, the Catholic Diocese, the chairman of Ado Local Government Area, and other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, for their cooperation.
Emenari said the collaboration played a vital role in the successful rescue of the worshippers and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping, banditry, cultism, and other violent crimes across the state.
