By Emem Nsini-Godwin
Gunmen have abducted the resident pastor of the Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST) Church, Andyar, Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, and two members of his congregation in Benue State.
The victims were kidnapped in the early hours of Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from the pastor’s residence at the NKST Church in Andyar, Ishan Classis.
The Executive Committee of NKST Church, Andyar, confirmed the incident in a statement signed by the church’s General Secretary, Rev. Dr. T. A. Targba.
According to the statement, the cleric and the two church members were abducted from the church premises by armed men in what the church described as an unfortunate incident.
“It is with a heavy heart, yet with unwavering confidence in the sovereignty of Almighty God, that we announce the unfortunate abduction of our cleric, Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, along with two members of his congregation, in the early hours of today, 30 June 2026,” the statement read.
The church appealed to Christians and the general public to pray for the victims’ safe and unconditional release. It also expressed sympathy to their families and urged members of the NKST community to remain steadfast in prayer.
The church further called on security agencies, the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and bring those behind the abduction to justice.
“We further call on the relevant security agencies, as well as the Governments of Benue State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to act swiftly and decisively to secure the safe rescue of the abducted persons and ensure that those responsible for this criminal act are apprehended and brought to justice,” the statement said.
The church also urged both levels of government to adopt more proactive and sustained measures to tackle kidnapping and other security challenges, stressing the need to prevent such crimes rather than merely responding after they occur.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had not issued an official statement on the incident, and it was unclear whether the kidnappers had made any contact or demands.
