A Jos- based pastor has been apprehended by the Plateau State Police Command for orchestrating his own kidnapping and soliciting ransom from members of his congregation.
Albarka Bitrus Sukunya and his accomplices were arrested after it was discovered that church members had paid a ransom of N600,000 to secure the pastor’s release.
The Plateau State Police Command’s spokesman, Alabo Alfred, announced the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, January 11th.
It was revealed that the pastor had staged his own kidnappings on several occasions and had received ransom from his congregants. The police were alerted to the suspicious activity after two kidnappings, one on November 14th, 2022, and the other on November 30th, 2022 where a total of N600,000 was paid as ransom for the pastor’s release.
Through an investigation, it was established that the pastor had been conspiring with his accomplices to fake his own kidnappings and fraudulently collect the ransom. Upon being questioned, the pastor confessed to his crimes and named his accomplices.
Additionally, he admitted to setting fire to two vehicles and a bicycle belonging to colleagues at the ECWA Bishara 3 Jenta Apata church premises. Police have arrested two of the suspects, while efforts are being made to capture the third.
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