Benue Pastor Dies Days After Freedom From Kidnappers

By Akinwale Kasali 

In a heartbreaking incident, a Cleric who regained his freedom from his abductors in Benue State, died a few days later no thanks to the torture he was put through.

Rev. Samuel Gbinde,  Pastor of the Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST) Church, was abducted alongside two members of his congregation on June 30, 2026, when armed men invaded his residence at the NKST Church in Andyar, Ishan Classis, Benue State.

Confirming the Cleric’s death,  an NKST official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the Reverend sustained severe injuries after he was tortured by his abductors.

Before his release, the General Secretary of NKST, Rev. Dr. T. A. Targba, had appealed to security agencies as well to both the Benue  and the Federal Governments to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and ensure those responsible were arrested and prosecuted.

The Pastor was released after a ransom was paid but was in critical condition, with the left side of his body reportedly paralysed.

“Pastor Gbinde died in the early hours of Saturday. He was manhandled by his abductors while in captivity. When he regained freedom, the left side of his body was not functioning.

“He was first taken to a hospital in Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area, but when his condition failed to improve, he was transferred to NKST Hospital, Mkar, for further treatment.

“At NKST Mkar, doctors discovered that he had sustained a severe head injury after being struck with a gun, which badly affected his brain and required urgent surgery. He was later moved to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where he died in the early hours of Saturday. May his soul rest in peace,” the source said.

The late Rev. Gbinde and the two other abducted Church members were released after a ransom was paid. The cleric was in the worst health condition at the time of their release.

The Benue State Police Command is yet to issue any statement on the sad death of the Cleric.