The abducted pastor of the NKST Church, Rev. Samuel Gbinde, has died after regaining freedom from captivity in Benue State, following what church sources described as severe torture at the hands of his kidnappers.
Rev. Gbinde and two members of his congregation were abducted on June 30, 2026, when armed men stormed his residence at the NKST Church in Andyar, Ishan Classis, Benue State. Their abduction triggered widespread concern, prompting the church to appeal to security agencies and both the Benue State and Federal Governments to secure their release and bring the perpetrators to justice.
An official of the church, who spoke anonymously on Saturday, said the cleric was released after a ransom was paid but returned in critical condition. According to the source, the left side of his body was paralysed after he was allegedly brutalised while in captivity.
The source disclosed that Rev. Gbinde was initially treated at a hospital in Anyiin, Logo Local Government Area, before being transferred to NKST Hospital, Mkar. Medical examinations reportedly revealed a severe head injury caused by a gun blow, which significantly damaged his brain and required emergency surgery. He was later referred to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, where he died in the early hours of Saturday.
According to Leadership Newspaper, the church source said the two other abducted victims were also released after the ransom payment but were in far better condition than the pastor.