The Plateau State-based pastor that was caught for kidnapping himself to swindle his church members and loved ones has expressed regrets for his actions.
According to the cleric, who was identified as Pastor Albarka Bitrus, his action was due to lack of financial strength to fend for himself.
He spoke at headquarters of the Plateau State Police Command, stating that he is ashamed of the action that led to his arrest by operatives of the command.
He confessed, “I put myself into these activities because of the financial challenges I am facing. When I did the first one, I felt guilty. When I went out, the money with me got finished. I was thinking of coming back. I was just confused. That is why I did the second one. I am regretting my action.”
Furthermore, Bitrus explained that he burnt the vehicle of his senior pastor because he was guilty of what he did, adding that he was confused and did not know what came over of him.
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He, however, confessed of what he did, saying, “I am sorry for what I have done. I am really sorry.”
Operatives of the Command arrested the pastor on Wednesday following a “vigorous investigation”.
The police observed that the pastor, of ECWA Church Jos, had on several occasions staged his kidnapping and collected ransom, in collaboration with a gang to commit the crime in order to get his money.
The police explained that the suspect collected the sum of N400,000 on November 14, 2022 and on November 30, he staged another kidnapping of himself and collected the sum of N200,000 from his sympathizers, who are members of his church.