Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, a senior pastor with the Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST), was abducted alongside two members of his congregation in the Andyar community of Guma Local Government Area, Benue State. The attackers raided the pastor’s residence in the early hours of Tuesday, firing shots into the air to intimidate witnesses before forcibly taking the three individuals to an undisclosed location.
An anonymous source noted that the isolated nature of the community, which sits near Logo LGA, has previously been plagued by banditry and violent incursions. Rev. Dr. T. A. Targba, the General Secretary of NKST, confirmed the abduction in an official statement, expressing deep sorrow and calling for collective prayers for the safe return of the victims.
The NKST leadership has urged security agencies, alongside the Benue State and Federal Governments, to launch a prompt rescue mission and apprehend those responsible for the crime. Furthermore, the church advocated for more proactive government security strategies to curb the growing wave of kidnappings across the nation. Despite the trauma, the church emphasized its reliance on faith and called on its members to remain steadfast. Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, for comments were unsuccessful.
