Peter Adejoh, an ADC chieftain, has spoken out against the latest wave of abductions in the Benue South Senatorial District, calling them intolerable and indicative of a worsening security situation in the region.
Tuesday saw two separate kidnappings involving worshippers and travellers in various portions of the Ado, Oju, Obi, and Okpokwu local government areas within 48 hours. Adejoh released a statement expressing his displeasure over the events.
First, he claims that at least nine people were abducted while praying at St. John’s Catholic Church in the Ojije hamlet of the Utonkon District of the Ado Local Government Area in the early hours of Sunday. Assailants targeting a 30-day prayer program attacked the innocent.
The police revealed that fourteen passengers from communities in the Igede axis of Oju and Obi local government areas were abducted while on transit over the Okpokwu corridor on Monday evening, barely two days after the first attack.
In response to the attacks, Adejoh stated that the hazardous level of insecurity in Benue South was demonstrated by the abduction of worshippers and travellers within such a short period of time.
There has been enough. He emphasised that the victims were “innocent citizens” who had been forcibly abducted while worshipping or travelling.
He pointed out that the recent abductions were but a small part of the brutal assaults that have afflicted Benue State for a long time, causing anguish, displacement, and the pursuit of justice for several communities.
No excuse could ever be given for the kidnapping of innocent people, so Adejoh demanded their unconditional and immediate release.
The president further called on the security forces to step up their intelligence collection and ground operations to bring the victims to safety and apprehend the perpetrators as soon as possible.
Further, the ADC candidate for governor urged the Benue State government to take the lead in restoring peace by enhancing security coordination, early warning systems, and collaboration with federal agencies and local communities.
Everyone should be able to worship, travel, and live their lives without fear. Urgency, dedication, and tangible action are necessary at this moment,” he emphasised.