The Benue State police command has confirmed the abduction of nine worshippers at Saint John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in the Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Sunday night while attending a vigil on the church premises, as gunmen stormed the area and whisked them away.

Udeme Edet, the police spokesperson for the Benue police command, confirmed the incident to journalists on Monday, saying the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, had deployed tactical units to rescue the abducted worshippers.

According to Ms Edet, security operatives are working alongside local vigilantes to track down the perpetrators and secure the victims’ release.

“The police are on the trail of the perpetrators of the attack,” she said.

This comes a few days after terrorists invaded Woro Community in Kaima Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing over 170 people and torching many properties.

In November, President Donald Trump declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern of the alleged killings of Christians in the country.