In the early hours of Tuesday, June 30, 2026, armed men broke into the home of a senior pastor in Benue State and took him and two of his church members into the night.

The victim, Rev. Dr Samuel Gbinde, is a pastor of the Universal Reformed Christian Church — widely known by its Tiv name, NKST — serving at the Andyar parish in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Two members of his congregation who were present at the residence were also taken. Their identities had not been officially released at press time.

A community source, speaking on condition of anonymity, described how the attack unfolded.

“The armed men whose identity we cannot tell at the moment came very late at night and broke into the home of the pastor. They were shooting sporadically to scare the people away before taking him and two other members of the church whom they saw with him.”

The source added that Andyar is a geographically isolated community, and its location compounds the security risk.

“We cannot tell who could be responsible, but the community is a place that is isolated and very close to Logo LGA, which is known for banditry and armed herdsmen attacks.”

Guma LGA has been one of the most conflict-affected areas in Benue State for several years, sitting in a region historically troubled by clashes between farming communities and armed herders.

The proximity of Andyar to Logo LGA — itself a long-standing flashpoint — has left residents of the area exposed to recurrent violence and criminal activity.

NKST Calls for Prayers, Government Action, and a Proactive Security Strategy

The church confirmed the abduction in a formal statement signed by its General Secretary, Rev. Dr T. A. Targba, issued on the same day as the 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.”

Targba called on the entire NKST community to rally in prayer.

“The leadership of the NKST calls upon all clergy, members, congregations and friends of the church to unite in earnest prayer during this difficult time for the safe and unconditional release of Rev. Dr Gbinde and the two church members.”

He added: “We also pray that God will grant strength, comfort and hope to their families, the congregation at Andyar and the entire NKST family.”

Beyond prayer, the church called directly on the Nigeria Police Force, the Benue State Government, and the Federal Government to act without delay.

The NKST also pushed back against the pattern of reactive security responses that have become routine across Nigeria’s volatile Middle Belt.

“It is imperative to take the fight to the perpetrators rather than merely responding after these heinous crimes have been committed,” the church said, calling for more proactive and sustained strategies to tackle kidnapping and armed attacks.

The church closed its statement with an expression of faith and a broader prayer.

“As the people of God, we remain steadfast in faith, trusting in His unfailing protection and praying for the safe return of our brother, his companions and all those held captive. May the Lord continue to preserve His Church, comfort the affected families and grant peace and security to our land.”

Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, for an official response were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.