Gunmen have abducted a pastor, Rev. Samuel Gbinde, and two members of his congregation from his residence in Benue State.
According to Punch Newspapers, the victims were kidnapped in the early hours of Tuesday at the NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State.
In a statement issued by the Executive Committee of the NKST Church, the church confirmed that Rev. Gbinde and the two worshippers were taken from the pastor’s residence.
The church described the incident as tragic and called on its members, clergy and supporters to pray for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted victims.
It also appealed to security agencies, the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible for the attack.
The church urged both governments to adopt more proactive measures to tackle kidnapping and worsening insecurity, stressing the need to prevent such crimes rather than only responding after they occur.
The Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time the report was published by Punch Newspapers.
