Gunmen Kidnap Pastor, Two Worshippers in Benue Church Attack

The Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST) Church has confirmed the abduction of one of its clerics, Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, along with two members of his congregation, following an attack by suspected gunmen in Benue State.

The victims were kidnapped in the early hours of Tuesday at the pastor’s residence, located within the NKST Church premises in Andyar, Ishan Classis, in what church leaders described as another disturbing incident reflecting the growing insecurity in parts of the state.

In a statement issued by its Executive Committee, the church expressed deep sorrow over the attack but urged members to remain calm, steadfast in faith and united in prayers for the safe return of the abducted cleric and the two worshippers.

“It is with a heavy heart, yet with unwavering confidence in the sovereignty of Almighty God, that we announce the unfortunate abduction of our cleric, Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, along with two members of his congregation,” the statement read.

The church appealed to pastors, members and supporters across Nigeria and beyond to pray for the unconditional release of the victims, expressing hope that they would return home safely.

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The leadership also called on the Benue State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and ensure those responsible for the attack are arrested and prosecuted.

According to the church, authorities should adopt more proactive strategies to tackle the rising cases of kidnapping in Benue State and other violent crimes, rather than responding only after attacks have taken place.

The abduction comes amid persistent concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Benue State, where communities have continued to face attacks linked to armed criminal groups and kidnappers. In recent months, residents, religious organisations and civil society groups have repeatedly called for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable communities and places of worship.

Security analysts have also warned that kidnappers are increasingly targeting rural communities, religious leaders and travellers, often exploiting difficult terrain and limited security presence to carry out their operations.

The latest incident has heightened anxiety among residents of Andyar and surrounding communities, with many expressing fears over the increasing frequency of abductions across the state.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident. Efforts to obtain the command’s reaction were still ongoing.

The kidnapping of Rev. Dr. Gbinde and the two church members adds to the growing list of security challenges confronting Benue State, reinforcing calls for coordinated action by security agencies to stem the wave of kidnappings and restore public confidence.

Gunmen Kidnap Pastor, Two Worshippers in Benue Church Attack

Sanwo-Olu Orders Emergency Dredging of 28 Channels as Lagos Battles Flash Floods

The Lagos State Government has announced immediate measures to tackle the flash floods that have disrupted movement and stranded residents across the metropolis, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approving the emergency dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary drainage channels.

The intervention follows days of intense rainfall that triggered widespread flooding in several parts of the state, such as Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, Mafoluku and other low-lying communities, leaving many roads impassable and commuters stranded.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, appealed to residents to remain calm, describing the flooding as the result of an extreme weather event that dumped an unusually high volume of rainfall within a short period, overwhelming drainage channels in several locations.

According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina, the commissioner explained that the situation was not unique to Lagos, noting that several cities across Africa and even North America experienced similar flooding from the same weather system.

Wahab said Lagos faces a more complex challenge because of its unique coastal geography, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, the Lagos Lagoon and an extensive network of rivers, creeks and lagoons. He explained that during periods of high tide, stormwater takes longer to discharge into the sea, leading to temporary flooding in vulnerable areas after exceptionally heavy rainfall.

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He assured residents that the state government was closely monitoring drainage infrastructure, flood-prone communities and major waterways, while emergency response agencies had been deployed to accelerate the recession of floodwaters and provide assistance where necessary.

The commissioner stressed that the government would continue investing heavily in drainage construction, channelisation, desilting and other flood-control projects, but insisted that residents must also play their part by protecting public drainage systems.

He warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and canals, illegal reclamation of wetlands, and construction on drainage alignments, saying such practices obstruct the free flow of stormwater and significantly worsen flooding.

Wahab also attributed the increasing frequency of extreme rainfall to the growing impact of climate change, noting that coastal cities around the world are experiencing more severe weather events.

“Lagos is not exempt from these realities. However, the State Government remains committed to building a flood-resilient city through sustained infrastructure development, environmental enforcement and active collaboration with residents,” he said.

He further advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads during heavy rainfall and urged residents, particularly those living in flood-prone areas, to pay close attention to weather advisories and safety directives issued by relevant government agencies.

The government’s appeal came after hours of heavy rain on Tuesday triggered fresh flooding across several parts of Lagos, disrupting traffic and leaving many residents stranded. Videos and photographs shared on social media by residents and celebrities showed submerged roads and flooded neighbourhoods, renewing concerns over the city’s drainage capacity despite ongoing investments in flood-control infrastructure.

Background

Lagos experiences seasonal flooding during the rainy season due to its low-lying coastal location, rapid urbanisation and high population density. The state government has, in recent years, embarked on extensive drainage expansion, canal desilting and enforcement against illegal structures blocking waterways to reduce flood risks.

Weather authorities have repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing the intensity of rainfall across Nigeria’s coastal states, making flash floods more frequent. The Lagos State Government has consistently urged residents to complement its efforts by keeping drainage channels free of refuse and avoiding activities that obstruct the natural flow of stormwater.

Sanwo-Olu Orders Emergency Dredging of 28 Channels as Lagos Battles Flash Floods

VIDEO: Thousands march across South Africa as anti-immigration groups push June 30 deadline

Thousands of people marched in several South African cities on Tuesday as anti-immigration groups sought to enforce a self-imposed June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country, prompting heightened security and renewed debate over immigration, border control and public safety.

Videos shared on social media, including footage published by AfricaFactsZone, showed large crowds of demonstrators marching through major streets carrying South African flags and placards while calling for stricter enforcement of the country’s immigration laws.

The demonstrations, organised by anti-immigration movements including Operation Dudula and March and March, are among the largest migration-related protests witnessed in South Africa since the widespread xenophobic violence that erupted in 2008.

Protest organisers argue that undocumented migration has contributed to unemployment, crime and increased pressure on public services. However, researchers and human rights organisations have repeatedly cautioned that there is no conclusive evidence linking immigrants as a group to rising crime or unemployment, urging policymakers and the public to rely on verified data rather than generalisations.

A heavy police presence was deployed across key protest locations, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town, with public order officers, armoured vehicles and helicopters monitoring the demonstrations to prevent violence and protect lives and property.

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Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia said law enforcement agencies were fully prepared to maintain order, warning that anyone involved in violence, intimidation or criminal activities during the protests would face prosecution.

Authorities also disclosed that scores of people have been arrested in recent months over incidents linked to anti-immigration demonstrations and acts of vigilantism.

Leaders of the protest groups said they planned to submit petitions to government officials demanding stronger border controls, faster deportation of undocumented migrants and stricter enforcement of existing immigration laws.

The protests followed weeks of tension that reportedly prompted thousands of foreign nationals from countries including Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and Nigeria to either leave South Africa voluntarily or seek assistance from their diplomatic missions amid fears of violence.

Several foreign-owned businesses also reportedly closed temporarily in some communities as a precaution ahead of the demonstrations.

The latest wave of protests comes after a series of anti-immigration demonstrations in recent months, during which several people were killed in isolated incidents in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, further raising concerns about the potential for xenophobic violence.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concerns over undocumented migration but reiterated that immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of the state.

He condemned violence, intimidation and vigilantism, urging South Africans to allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional duties without interference.

South African authorities have also clarified that the June 30 deadline was not issued by the government but by citizen-led anti-immigration groups.

Officials previously dismissed widely circulated social media messages claiming that the government had ordered all undocumented migrants to leave the country by June 30, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Earlier this month, the South African government announced additional measures to strengthen immigration management, including stricter enforcement of the Immigration Act, enhanced border security, improved digital immigration systems and closer cooperation with neighbouring African countries to address irregular migration.

The demonstrations have once again placed South Africa’s immigration policy at the centre of national debate, with analysts calling for balanced solutions that protect national security, uphold the rule of law and respect the rights and dignity of all people regardless of their nationality or immigration status.

BREAKING: South Africans in large numbers hit the streets to enforce today’s deadline for illegal immigrants to leave South Africa pic.twitter.com/70pCimNNWG

— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) June 30, 2026

VIDEO: Thousands march across South Africa as anti-immigration groups push June 30 deadline