The Benue State Police Command has arrested four suspects linked to the abduction of worshippers during a night vigil at St. John Catholic Church, Ojeji, in Ado Local Government Area.
According to a statement by the police, operatives of the Ado Division initially apprehended Abubakar Jibril and Ashiru Ibrahim on 11th February, 2026, after acting on credible intelligence.
The suspects were found with five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and later handed over to the Inspector-General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team, IRT, for further investigation.
Follow-up operations led the IRT and Benue State tactical teams to raid a hideout linked to Ashiru Ibrahim on 14th February.
The joint operation resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, eight rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and the arrest of two additional suspects, believed to be key members of the kidnapping syndicate.
Investigations so far have connected all four suspects directly to the St. John Catholic Church abduction.
Police said sustained intelligence-led operations across Ado and neighboring communities ensured that the kidnapped victims were released unharmed.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, emphasized that the command remains fully mobilized to combat kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes in the state.
In a move to strengthen security further, the Inspector-General of Police has deployed the Police Air Wing for aerial surveillance and reinforced tactical teams across Benue State.
The police praised the support of the Benue State Government, the Catholic Diocese, Ado LGA leadership, the Nigerian Army, and other security agencies, crediting their collaboration for the successful resolution of the incident.
