Gunmen abduct Benue cleric, two worshippers, church seeks urgent rescue

Gunmen have abducted a Senior Pastor of the Universal Reformed Christian Church, popularly known as NKST, Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, alongside two members of his congregation in Andyar community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The victims were reportedly taken in the early hours of Tuesday when armed men invaded the pastor's residence and whisked them away to an unknown destination.

A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers stormed the residence in a commando-style operation and fired sporadically to scare residents before taking the cleric and the two worshippers.

Community account of the attack

According to the source, the armed men arrived late at night and forced their way into the pastor's home before carrying out the abduction.

The source said the isolated nature of the community and its proximity to Logo LGA, which has been associated with banditry and armed herdsmen attacks, have heightened fears among residents.

The armed men whose identity we cannot tell at the moment came very late at night and broke into the home of the pastor.

— Community source, resident, Andyar community

They were shooting sporadically to scare the people away before taking him and other two members of the church who they saw with him.

— Community source, resident, Andyar community

We cannot tell who could be responsible but the community is a place that is isolated and very close to Logo LGA that is known for banditry and armed herdsmen attacks.

— Community source, resident, Andyar community

Church confirms abduction

Confirming the incident in a statement, the General Secretary of NKST, Rev. Dr. T. A. Targba, described the abduction as unfortunate and called on Christians and the general public to pray for the safe return of the victims.

The church said the three victims were abducted from the pastor's residence at the Andyar parish, a development it said has thrown the congregation and the entire NKST family into mourning.

It is with a heavy heart, yet with unwavering confidence in the sovereignty of Almighty God, that we announce the unfortunate abduction of our cleric, Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, along with two members of his congregation in the early hours of today, 30 June 2026.

— Rev. Dr. T. A. Targba, General Secretary, NKST

The church appealed to its clergy, congregations, departments, institutions, members and friends to unite in fervent prayers for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted cleric and the two church members.

Call for rescue and stronger security response

NKST urged security agencies, as well as the Benue State and Federal Governments, to act swiftly to secure the release of the victims and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.

The church also expressed concern over the persistent wave of kidnappings and insecurity across parts of the country, calling on both state and federal authorities to adopt more proactive and sustained measures to tackle the menace.

>> "The leadership of the NKST calls upon all clergy, members, congregations and friends of the Church to unite in earnest prayer during this difficult time for the safe and unconditional release of Rev. Dr. Gbinde and the two church members. - Rev. Dr. T. A. Targba, General Secretary, NKST

We also pray that God will grant strength, comfort and hope to their families, the congregation at Andyar and the entire NKST family,

— Rev. Dr. T. A. Targba, General Secretary, NKST

It is imperative to take the fight to the perpetrators rather than merely responding after these heinous crimes have been committed,

— NKST statement, Church leadership, NKST

Faith amid uncertainty

Despite the incident, the church reaffirmed its faith and expressed confidence that the abducted cleric and his companions would return safely.

It said it remains steadfast in prayer for the victims, their families and others being held captive, while also praying for peace and security in the country.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

As the people of God, we remain steadfast in faith, trusting in His unfailing protection and praying for the safe return of our brother, his companions and all those held captive.

— NKST statement, Church leadership, NKST

May the Lord continue to preserve His Church, comfort the affected families and grant peace and security to our land,

— NKST statement, Church leadership, NKST