The Benue State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the abduction of nine worshippers during a church vigil in Ado Local Government Area of the state.
Police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that security agencies were still pursuing other members of the suspected kidnapping network who remain at large.
“Our operatives have intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicate. Investigations are ongoing, and all those linked to the crime will be brought to justice,” Edet said.
According to her, the operation began on February 11 when officers from the Ado Division, acting on intelligence, arrested two suspects identified as Abubakar Jibril and Ashiru Ibrahim in connection with the incident.
“The suspects were found with five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and were subsequently handed over to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team for further investigation,” she stated.
Edet explained that follow-up operations by the Intelligence Response Team, supported by tactical units of the state command, led to a raid on a suspected hideout on February 14.
The raid resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, additional ammunition, and the arrest of two more suspects believed to be key members of the group.
“Preliminary findings clearly link the arrested suspects to the kidnapping that took place during the night vigil at St. John Catholic Church,” she added.
The police said sustained search-and-rescue operations across the Ado axis and neighbouring communities eventually forced the kidnappers to release the victims unharmed.
Edet also revealed that the Inspector-General of Police approved the deployment of the Police Air Wing to support surveillance and strengthen operations in the state.
“The deployment is intended to enhance intelligence-led policing, reinforce security presence, and deny criminal elements freedom to operate,” she said.
Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, commended the state government, church leadership, local authorities, and security agencies — including the Nigerian Army and the Benue Civil Protection Guard — for their cooperation during the operation.
“This success demonstrates the impact of inter-agency collaboration in protecting lives and property,” the CP noted, reassuring residents that the command remains determined to tackle kidnapping, banditry, cultism, and other violent crimes.
The nine worshippers were abducted in the early hours of Sunday during a vigil service at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon community, before regaining their freedom days later.
