February 13, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
A devastating incident in Benue State, Nigeria has claimed the life of a Christian clergyman after a violent encounter with bandits on a rural road. Pastor Francis Aduh Ojo, a minister with Dunamis International Gospel Centre, reportedly died in a motor accident while trying to escape an armed attack shortly after leading a crusade service in Makurdi on Thursday, February 12, 2026, his nephew confirmed in a statement released Friday.
According to the pastor’s family, the tragedy unfolded when his vehicle encountered assailants believed to be terrorist — armed criminal groups that have frequently targeted communities and travellers in parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. In the panic that followed the sighting of the attackers, Pastor Ojo attempted to evade the violence by driving away, but he lost control of the vehicle and died instantly in the resulting crash.
The deceased was returning from a church event when the incident occurred. In a Facebook post shared by his nephew, Abuja Richard Enemona, he described the sudden loss as a profound shock to the family and the wider community. “My uncle was coming from Makurdi yesterday after a crusade… and he ran into bandits and was trying to escape but had an accident and died immediately,” the post said, noting that family and neighbours were “thrown into heavy tears” by the news of his death.
Security Concerns Deepen
The violent episode once again underscores growing concerns about the reach and impact of banditry in Nigeria’s rural areas especially along highways and forested routes where security presence is limited. Armed groups linked to bandit networks have been responsible for kidnappings, attacks on villages, ambushes on travellers, and other violent crimes across several states, including neighbouring regions to Benue.
While authorities have periodically conducted military and police operations aimed at curbing the threat, such incidents reflect the ongoing challenges faced by local communities attempting to travel between events, markets, or religious gatherings amid insecurity.
As investigations continue, family and church members have appealed for prayers and support, mourning the loss of a pastor whose life was cut short in what they describe as a tragic attempt to escape violence.