Rev. Samuel Gbinde, the Senior Pastor of the Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST) in the Saghev Council Ward of Benue State’s Guma Local Government Area, has died shortly after his release from captivity. He had been kidnapped two weeks earlier alongside two parishioners by individuals suspected to be armed herdsmen.
Reports indicate that despite a ransom payment securing their freedom, the cleric succumbed to injuries sustained from brutal torture during his confinement. A church source revealed that the pastor was transported to a mission hospital in Gboko in critical condition. Despite receiving medical treatment in both Gboko and Makurdi, he passed away a few days ago.
The loss has deeply affected the local religious community, where Gbinde was remembered for his dedicated ministry. Dr. Eunice Ortom, the 2027 PDP senatorial candidate for Benue North-West, lamented the death as a significant blow to the region. She praised the late cleric for his selflessness and moral leadership.
Addressing the broader security climate, Dr. Ortom criticized the circumstances of his passing as a symptom of Benue’s deteriorating safety. She called upon government authorities and security forces to bolster their operations against kidnappings and violence, emphasizing that ensuring the safety of citizens is a fundamental duty of the state.
