The Benue State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the abduction of nine worshippers in Ojije, Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed that the arrests followed sustained intelligence driven operations. She said efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal network.
According to Edet, operatives of the Ado Division initially arrested two suspects, identified as Abubakar Jibril and Ashiru Ibrahim, on February 11, 2026, in connection with the night vigil kidnapping at St John Catholic Church. The suspects were reportedly found in possession of five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team for further investigation.
Further operations carried out on February 14 by the Intelligence Response Team in collaboration with tactical teams led to the arrest of two additional suspects believed to be key members of the syndicate. During the raid on a hideout linked to one of the suspects, security operatives recovered one AK 47 rifle and eight rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Edet noted that coordinated search and rescue operations across the Ado axis and adjoining communities mounted sustained pressure on the abductors, leading to the safe release of the nine worshippers without injury.
She added that the Inspector General of Police had approved the deployment of the Police Air Wing and additional tactical teams to strengthen aerial surveillance and intelligence led operations in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, commended the support of the state government, the Catholic Diocese leadership, the Ado Local Government chairman, and sister security agencies including the Nigerian Army and the Benue Civil Protection Guard.
He reassured residents of the Command’s resolve to eliminate kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
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