The abductors of nine worshipers at St John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, have demanded a ransom of N100m, PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday. The victims, comprising women and youths, were holding a vigil at the church when they were abducted around 2 a.m. on Sunday. According to a family member of one of the victims, who spoke anonymously, the abductors first made contact with the families on Wednesday and demanded the sum of N100m. The source added that during negotiations in the early hours of Thursday, the kidnappers reduced the ransom to N30m. The chairman of Ado Local Government, Sunday Oche, declined to comment on the ransom but assured our correspondent that security personnel were working towards the safe rescue of the victims.

Source: Punch February 13, 2026 16:24 UTC