Police rescue kidnapped church worshippers in Benue, arrest four suspects, recover arms

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

The Benue State Police Command working in synergy with sister security agencies have successfully rescued victims abducted during a vigil at St. John Catholic Church, Ojeji, Ado Local Government Area.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer Benue state command, Udeme Edet stated that “On 11th February, 2026, operatives of the Ado Division, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two suspects, Abubakar Jibril and Ashiru Ibrahim in connection with the vigil kidnapping incident.

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 (IRT) for further investigation.

She said acting swiftly on follow-up intelligence, the IRT, in a joint operation with tactical teams of the Benue State Police Command, raided the hideout of Ashiru Ibrahim on 14th February, 2026.

She said 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.

Investigations so far have clearly established that the arrested suspects are directly linked to the abduction that occurred during the 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 while efforts have since been intensified to track down and apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal network, as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) continues comprehensive investigations to ensure that all those connected to this crime are brought to justice.

In further demonstration of the resolve to decisively confront kidnapping and banditry, the Inspector-General of Police has approved the deployment of the Police Air Wing for aerial surveillance and operations, alongside the reinforcement of additional tactical teams to Benue State. This proactive deployment is aimed at strengthening security dominance, improving intelligence-led operations, and denying criminal elements any operational space within the state.

The Benue State Police Command appreciated the collective support and cooperation received during the operation, particularly the support of the Benue State Government, the leadership of the Catholic Diocese who championed the non-kinetic approach, the Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, and the effective collaboration of sister security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Benue Civil Protection Guard, and other security stakeholders.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, has reassured the people of Benue State that the Command remains fully mobilized, strategically positioned, and resolute in its determination to eliminate kidnapping, banditry, cultism and all forms of violent crime across the state.

She noted that further developments will be communicated accordingly.