Gunmen Kidnap Benue Pastor, Church Members Amid Escalating Security Concerns

Gunmen Kidnap Benue Pastor, Church Members Amid Escalating

Security Concerns

Samuel Gbinde, a pastor of the Universal Reform Christian Church (URCC), also known as Nongu u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST), has been abducted along with two members of his congregation in Benue State.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at the pastor's residence at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State. Titus Targba, the General Secretary of URCC, confirmed the kidnap and called on church members and the public to pray for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted pastor and the two church members.

This is the latest in a series of kidnappings and violent attacks that have plagued Benue State. Just last week, the Benue State chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ardo Risku, and his associate, Yakubu Isa, were killed after attending a peace meeting in Ohimini Local Government Area. Ten suspects have since been arrested in connection with the killings.

It is imperative to take the fight to the perpetrators rather than merely responding after these heinous crimes have been committed.

The NKST church has called on the authorities to adopt more proactive measures against kidnapping and other violent crimes. The church's General Secretary, Titus Targba, urged the relevant security agencies and the governments of Benue State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria to act swiftly 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 police in the state have been unable to comment on the incident. The PREMIUM TIMES made several efforts 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.

The security situation in Benue State has continued to deteriorate in recent months. The state has seen a surge in kidnappings, armed robberies, and other violent crimes. The police and other security agencies have been unable to effectively combat the situation, leading to widespread insecurity and fear among the population.