The police in Benue State have arrested four suspects linked to the abduction of worshippers during a night vigil at St. John Catholic Church, Ojeji, in Ado Local Government Area, successfully securing the release of all kidnapped victims.
According to a statement by the police, operatives of the Ado Division initially apprehended Abubakar Jibril and Ashiru Ibrahim on February 11, 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.
