Security operatives in Benue State have rescued worshippers abducted during a vigil at St. John Catholic Church, Ojeji, Ado Local Government Area, and arrested four suspects linked to the incident.
According to a statement from the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, made available to ENigeria Newspaper, two suspects—Abubakar Jibril and Ashiru Ibrahim—were first arrested on February 11, 2026, after police received credible intelligence. The suspects were found with five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and handed over to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) for further investigation.
Acting on follow-up intelligence, the IRT and Benue State Police tactical teams raided Ashiru Ibrahim’s hideout on February 14, recovering an AK-47 rifle, eight rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and arresting two additional suspects, believed to be key members of the kidnapping syndicate.
The police confirmed to ENigeria Newspaper that the suspects are directly linked to the church abduction, and that the kidnapped victims were safely released unharmed after sustained search-and-rescue operations across Ado and surrounding communities. Efforts to apprehend other members of the criminal network are ongoing.
In a show of strengthened security measures, the Inspector-General of Police has deployed the Police Air Wing for aerial surveillance and reinforced additional tactical teams in Benue State to deny criminal elements operational space.
The Benue State Police Command thanked the state government, the Catholic Diocese, the Ado Local Government leadership, and sister security agencies, including the Nigerian Army and Benue Civil Protection Guard, for their support and collaboration in resolving the incident.
Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari assured residents that the Command remains fully mobilised and committed to tackling kidnapping, banditry, and violent crimes across the state.
