Plateau State Police Command arrest Jos clergyman who staged his own kidnapping

MEN of the Plateau State Police Command have arrested Jos clergyman Pastor Albarka Bitrus Sukuya on suspicion of staging his own kidnapping and demanding a ransom from members of his congregation.

In the first such case of its kind, the clergyman was arrested along with his collaborators following intelligence reports after church members had paid a N600,000 ransom to secure his release. According to police spokesman Alabo Alfred, following the payment, investigations revealed that the clergyman was complicit in his own abduction.

Mr Alfred said:  “The Plateau State Police Command has uncovered the nefarious act of one Pastor Albarka Bitrus Sukuya of Jenta Apata, Jos who on several occasions staged his kidnap with his cohorts and receive ransom from sympathising members of his congregation. Sequel to his spurious kidnaps of 14/11/2022 and 30/11/2022 where the sum of N400,000 and N200,000 were respectively paid by his sympathisers as ransom for his release, the incidents triggered suspicion.

“Through credible intelligence, the clergyman was invited by the divisional police officer of Nassarawa Gwong Police Station, Chief Superintendant Musa Hassan and investigations commenced immediately. In the course of investigation, it was established that the suspect has been conspiring with his gang to stage his kidnap and fraudulently collect ransoms.

“On interrogation, the suspect confessed to have committed the crime and mentioned the following persons as his accomplice. They were Baruk Mailale and Nathaniel Bitrus both males from Yelwan Zangam village on Jos North Local Government Area and one Aye, whose surname we do not know who is a male from Jalingo in Taraba State.”

“The suspect further disclosed that on 04/01/2023, he set ablaze two motor vehicles (a Mercedes Benz and a Toyota) and a bicycle parked at Ecwa Bishara 3 Jenta Apata premises belonging to his colleagues. Police operatives have arrested Baruk Mailale and Nathaniel Bitrus while efforts are been intensified to arrest Aye, the third suspect.”