MAKURDI—Tension is mounting in Ojije community, Utonkon, in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, as abductors of nine Catholic worshippers have opened negotiations with their families, demanding 100 million Naira for their release.
The victims were kidnapped in the early hours of Sunday, February 8, 2026, when armed men stormed St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije during a night vigil. The attackers reportedly struck at about 2:00 a.m., abducting children, women and youths who had gathered for prayers.
A family member of one of the victims, who spoke on condition of anonymity on behalf of the affected families, said the kidnappers made contact on Wednesday to initiate ransom negotiations.
According to the source, the abductors initially demanded N100 million for the release of the nine captives but later reduced the amount to N30 million by Thursday.
“That is the situation we have found ourselves in now. We are working hard to raise the money. We are soliciting assistance from friends and relatives,” he said.
He added that the demand has placed a heavy financial burden on the families, who are struggling to mobilise resources within a short time to secure the safe return of their loved ones.
“We are also appealing to public-spirited individuals, corporate organisations and civil society groups to come to the aid of the victims,” he pleaded.The families lamented that despite the presence of security personnel in the area, no breakthrough has been recorded in efforts to rescue the abducted worshippers.
“As I speak to you, security agencies deployed to the area are still in and around our community, but they have been unable to arrest the kidnappers or rescue our people,” he lamented.
The community also called on the government to intensify security operations in the surrounding forests, which they believe serve as hideouts for the abductors.
“We are calling on the government to deploy more security personnel to comb the forests in order to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the Senate Minority Leader and lawmaker representing Benue South Senatorial District, Dr. Abba Moro, on Thursday visited Ojije community to sympathise with the families of the victims.
Represented by the Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President, Chief George Alli, Moro expressed deep sorrow over the incident, saying he was devastated upon receiving the news.
He assured the community of collaborative efforts to secure the release of the victims, stressing that he would not abandon his constituents in their moment of distress. The senator also urged security agencies to redouble their efforts to ensure the unconditional rescue of the abductees and bring the perpetrators to justice.
In separate remarks, the community youth leader, Mr. Ogbu Ejeh; the Clan Head of Ojije, Chief Ideva Ajor; and the church leader thanked Senator Moro for the visit. They appealed to him to do everything possible to facilitate the victims’ safe return and to help strengthen security in the area to prevent future occurrences, describing the incident as traumatic and unfortunate.
Those abducted from the church were identified as Peter Enwe, Ikeh Janet, Echi Victoria, Ejali Mary, Agbo Victoria, Orji Philip, Ejali Godwin, Orji Victoria and Unogwu Victoria.
