Benue: Kidnappers demand N100m ransom for abducted worshippers

An atmosphere of fear and anxiety has gripped Ojije community in Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, as abductors of nine Catholic worshippers have reportedly opened negotiations with their families, demanding millions of 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.

According to reports, the attackers struck at about 2 a.m., disrupting the prayer gathering and whisking away children, women, and youths who had assembled for worship. The brazen nature of the attack has left residents shaken and heightened security concerns across the area.

According to a family member of one of the victims, who spoke on condition of anonymity on behalf of the affected families, the kidnappers made contact on Wednesday to initiate ransom discussions.

The source revealed that the abductors initially demanded N100 million for the release of the nine captives. However, by Thursday, the ransom was reportedly reduced to N30 million.

“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 to raise the funds,” he said.

He added that the financial burden has overwhelmed 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 spirited individuals, corporate organisations, and civil society organisations to come to the aid of the victims,” he pleaded.

The family members lamented that despite the presence of security personnel in the area, no breakthrough has been recorded in efforts to rescue the victims.

“As I speak to you, security agencies deployed to the area are still in and around our community, but they are unable to arrest the kidnappers and rescue our people,” he lamented.

The community also called on the government to intensify security operations in the surrounding forests, which they believe are hiding places for the abductors. “We are also calling on the government to deploy more security personnel to comb the forest so as to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate Minority Leader and lawmaker representing the Benue South Senatorial District, Dr Abba Moro, on Thursday visited Ojije community to sympathise with 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 victims’ release, stressing that he would not abandon his constituents in difficult times. 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 situation as traumatic and unfortunate.

The community leaders identified those abducted from the church to include Peter Enwe, Ikeh Janet, Echi Victoria, Ejali Mary, Agbo Victoria, Orji Philip, Ejali Godwin, Orji Victoria, and Unogwu Victoria.