Nine members of a Catholic congregation abducted during a late-night vigil in Benue State have regained their freedom, following coordinated security operations ordered by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The victims were taken by armed men who stormed Saint John Catholic Church in the Ojije axis of Utonkon community, located in Ado Local Government Area.
The incident, which occurred during a midnight prayer gathering, had sparked anxiety across Benue South and renewed concerns over attacks on places of worship.
However, state authorities confirmed that security operatives, working alongside local vigilante groups, successfully rescued the abductees.
Officials described the operation as decisive and intelligence-driven.
In a statement released through his Technical Adviser on Media and Publicity, Solomon Iorpev, Governor Alia praised the security agencies for what he termed a “timely and strategic intervention.”
“The rescue of these worshippers demonstrates that coordinated action yields results.
“Our administration will not relent in confronting criminal networks threatening the peace of Benue communities,” the governor said.
Moreover, he stressed that the government would intensify collaboration between conventional security forces and community-based outfits to deter further kidnappings.
According to him, proactive intelligence sharing remains critical in dismantling criminal cells operating in rural areas.
He urged residents to volunteer credible information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.
“Security is a collective responsibility. When citizens speak up promptly, it strengthens the hands of law enforcement,” he added.
In response to the abduction and a string of related attacks in the southern senatorial district, the governor convened a strategic security meeting on February 13, 2026.
The high-level session, held at the Palace of the Och’Idoma in Otukpo, brought together members of the Idoma Traditional Council and senior security commanders.
During the meeting, the governor directed an immediate and coordinated effort to secure the victims’ release and restore calm to affected communities.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Udah, a former councillor who represented Ukwuenyo Ward, confirmed that the attack had left residents deeply shaken. He described the abduction as deliberate and carefully orchestrated.
“What happened was not random. It was a calculated strike on a place of worship. People are still traumatised, and many families remain on edge,” Udah said.
Although calm is gradually returning to Utonkon, heightened patrols have been maintained across adjoining communities.
Authorities say surveillance and intelligence gathering will continue in order to prevent a recurrence.
The latest development signals renewed efforts by the Benue State Government to tackle kidnapping, a crime that has increasingly targeted religious gatherings and rural settlements in recent months.