Nasarawa church raises alarm over pastor’s abduction, calls for pressing motion

The Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ (ERCC) has referred to as on the Nasarawa State Government and safety companies to urgently intervene following the kidnapping of its pastor, Rev. Monday Habu, by gunmen in Gudi Ginda, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area.

Habu was reportedly kidnapped within the early hours of Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in an incident that has heightened considerations over the safety of residents locally and neighbouring rural settlements. Blueprint studies

The church, in an announcement condemning the kidnapping, demanded the quick deployment of safety personnel and elevated patrols alongside the Akwanga-Gudi street, which it described as more and more unsafe for residents and travellers.

The incident comes amid renewed considerations over kidnapping throughout Nasarawa State, with residents and lawmakers just lately calling for stronger safety measures following a sequence of reported abductions in numerous communities.

According to the church, Habu’s abduction occurred barely three days after the discharge of Daniel Philip Affiku, a member of the congregation who had additionally been kidnapped. It added that the newest incident adopted different abductions recorded locally earlier within the 12 months.

Church raises alarm over worsening insecurity

Expressing concern over the recurring incidents, the church warned that the state of affairs was creating concern amongst residents and threatening the peaceable coexistence of communities within the space.

It urged the state authorities, police and different safety companies to strengthen surveillance, improve patrols and deploy personnel to susceptible communities to forestall additional assaults.

“Nasarawa State Government and security agencies, the Akwanga-Gudi road and our rural communities are no longer safe. We need immediate deployment and patrol,” the assertion stated.

The church additionally expressed concern concerning the implications of the insecurity because the nation approaches one other election cycle, warning that residents shouldn’t be left susceptible to prison assaults.

Its attraction comes a day after the Nasarawa State House of Assembly raised the alarm over a resurgence of kidnappings throughout the state, with lawmakers urging the federal government and safety companies to accentuate efforts to guard lives and property.

During plenary on October 27, the Speaker of the Assembly, Danladi Jatau, expressed concern over frequent abductions in Lafia and different components of the state, saying the incidents had left residents dwelling in concern and disrupted financial actions.

The member representing Lafia Central, Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki, had advised the House that two individuals had been kidnapped in Agyaragu, whereas additional kidnappings had been reported in Agunji, additionally within the Lafia space. He referred to as for pressing intervention to safe the discharge of victims and stop additional incidents.

Nasarawa Eggon communities report repeated abductions

The newest abduction additionally follows studies of repeated kidnappings in components of Nasarawa Eggon.

On October 10, studies from Mada Station in Nasarawa Eggon indicated that two individuals had been kidnapped in Angwan Mission, whereas secondary college instructor Solomon Musa Ogah was reportedly kidnapped within the early hours of the identical week.

Residents appealed to the state authorities, the police, the native authorities council and the lawmaker representing Nasarawa Eggon West Constituency to strengthen safety and facilitate the victims’ launch.

The studies raised contemporary considerations concerning the security of rural communities, with residents calling for extra seen safety operations to discourage kidnappers.

Earlier in May, gunmen reportedly kidnapped seven individuals, together with six college students of Nasarawa State University, from an off-campus lodge in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area.

The assault prompted the police to accentuate search-and-rescue operations, whereas a joint safety workforce involving the police, navy, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and native vigilantes was mobilised to seek for the victims.

The incident underscored considerations concerning the vulnerability of individuals dwelling exterior secured institutional environments in communities affected by kidnapping.

University professor’s abduction highlights wider safety considerations

In July, Professor Samuel Okunsebor, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, was kidnapped at Mile Uku, a boundary neighborhood between Lafia and Nasarawa Eggon native authorities areas.

He was subsequently rescued by operatives of the Department of State Services following an intelligence-driven operation, whereas two suspects had been reportedly arrested in reference to the incident.

The rescue supplied some aid amid considerations over the focusing on of residents and professionals, though the incident additional highlighted the dangers confronting communities throughout components of the state.

Church appeals to abductors for pastor’s launch

Against this background, the ERCC appealed on to Habu’s abductors to launch him unhurt, describing him as a priest dedicated to serving the poor and susceptible.

“We plead with the abductors: In the name of God you claim to serve, please release our Reverend unharmed. He is a man of God who serves the poor,” the assertion stated.

The church vowed to not permit concern to silence its members, insisting that it could proceed to wish and demand ample safety for residents.

“We will not be silenced by fear. We will continue to pray and demand security for our people,” it added.

It referred to as on the federal government and safety companies to accentuate efforts to safe Habu’s launch and stop additional abductions in Gudi Ginda and neighbouring communities.

The church additionally urged residents to stay vigilant and assist official efforts to enhance neighborhood safety.

As of the time of submitting this report, efforts to succeed in the Nasarawa State Police Command for official affirmation of Habu’s abduction had been unsuccessful. His whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding the incident had but to be independently confirmed by the police.