A pastor has been abducted by armed men in Nigeria.
Rev Dr Samuel Gbinde and two members of his congregation were seized from his church residence in Benue State in the early hours of 30 June.
The local church has urged people to pray for their safe and unconditional release. It's also called on the authorities to intensify efforts to rescue them and bring their abductors to justice.
In a statement, the church’s General Secretary, Rev Dr T A Targba said: “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.
“They were abducted from the pastor’s residence at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State”.
The statement urged the authorities in Benue State as well as the Nigerian government, 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”.
More widely, Dr Targba called for “more proactive and sustained measures in addressing kidnapping and other forms of insecurity”, adding “It is imperative to take the fight to the perpetrators rather than merely responding after these heinous crimes have been committed”.