Benue Cleric Dies Days After Release From Kidnappers’ Captivity

(Rev. Samuel Gbinde. Photo by Premuim Times Nigeria)

Rev. Samuel Gbinde, Senior Pastor of the Universal Reformed Christian Church, NKST, Andyar Ishan Classis, Saghev Council Ward in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, has died days after being released by k!dn@ppers. 

The cleric had been abducted roughly two weeks earlier alongside two church members.

They were later freed after a ransom was reportedly paid, but Rev. Gbinde is said to have succumbed to injuries sustained while in captivity. According to a church member, the pastor was severely beaten and tortured during his time in the k!dn@ppers’ custody.

Following his release, he was rushed to the NKST mission hospital in Gboko in critical condition and later transferred to Makurdi for further treatment, but died a few days afterward despite medical efforts to save him.

Reacting to the development, Dr. Eunice Ortom, PDP candidate for Benue North-West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections, described the cleric’s death as a devastating loss to the church, Guma LGA and Benue State as a whole, describing him as a devoted servant of God recognised for his compassion and dedication to his community.