Gov Alia praises rescue of 9 Utonkon Church children from kidnapper’s grip
Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has poured accolades on security operatives and local vigilantes for swiftly rescuing nine children kidnapped during a midnight prayer session at Saint John Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon community, Ado Local Government Area.
The children—six girls and three boys—were freed following a rapid operation that showcased seamless teamwork between conventional forces and community vigilantes. Governor Alia, who received the joyous news on Saturday, February 14, stressed that such collaboration forms the bedrock of his administration’s push for a secure Benue, where residents can thrive without fear.
“Security is the foundation of development,” the governor declared in a statement issued by his Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communication, Chief Solomon Iorpev. He pledged ongoing support for federal agencies, traditional rulers, and local groups to stamp out kidnapping, with enhanced intelligence-sharing already underway to hunt down perpetrators.
The rescue capped a high-stakes security meeting convened by Alia on Friday, February 13, at the Och’Idoma’s Palace in Otukpo. There, a delegation led by Deputy Governor Barr. Sam Ode issued direct orders to top brass for the victims’ immediate recovery.
The children are now under care, receiving medical and emotional support.Alia urged Benue residents to stay vigilant, report suspicious movements, and bolster community watches, reinforcing his vision of a state defined by peace, justice, and harmony.
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