A Plateau State-based clergyman, Albarka Sukuya, has been arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly kidnapping himself to dubiously collect ransom from his unsuspecting members.
This development was made known in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state, DSP Alfred Alabo, in Jos, the state capital on Wednesday.
He noted that the pastor is a serial kidnapper of himself, while also adding that he was apprehended in November 2022.
Alabo noted that the pastor carried out the operations with the help of his cohorts.
According to the spokesperson, “The Police have uncovered the nefarious act of one Pastor Albarka Sukuya of Jenta Apata, Jos, who on several occasions staged his kidnap with his cohorts and received ransom from sympathising members of his congregation.
“Sequel to his spurious kidnaps of Nov. 14 and Nov. 15, 2022, where N400,000 and N200,000, respectively, were paid by his sympathisers as a ransom for his release, the incidents triggered suspicion.
READ ALSO: Internet Fraud: U.S. court denied Adesuwa Ogiozee’s request to remove electronic monitoring devices
“Through credible intelligence, the clergyman was invited by the DPO Nasarawa Gwong Police Station, CSP Musa Hassan, and investigation commenced immediately.
”In the course of the investigation, it was established that the suspect has been conspiring with his gang to stage his kidnap and fraudulently collect a ransom. He has confessed to committing the crime.”
He also added that the suspect had revealed the identity of three other members of the suspect’s gang, adding that two of them were arrested while one is still at large.
”The suspect further disclosed that on Jan. 1, he set ablaze the vehicles and a bicycle parked at ECWA Bishara 3, Jenta Apata premises belonging to his colleagues,” Alabo said.
The police spokesperson called on members of the public to be watchful and ensure timely reports of any suspicious happenings around them to relevant security agencies for a prompt response.