The Ogun State command of the Nigeria Police has confirmed the arrest, command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola disclosed the arrest of suspected kidnapper, Christopher Yaro, who allegedly participated in the abduction of two Catholic priests for ransom in Pankshin, Plateau State, on February 1, 2024.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that the suspect was arrested on Monday by police operatives in the Ago-Iwoye, in Ijebu North local government.
It would be recalled that two Catholic priests, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Kanwa and Rev. Fr. Jude Nwachukwu, were reportedly abducted from St. Vincent de Paul Fier Parish in the Diocese of Pankshin in Plateau State.
The alleged abductors, who were later discovered to be members of the same parish, allegedly demanded N25m ransom from family and other church members to secure the priests’ freedom.
After a week the abduction, the Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Polycarp Lubo, confirmed the release of the priests.
Confirming the arrest, command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola disclosed that the suspect, who is also a member of the church, Yaro, claimed that he fled Pankshin over fear that members of the community might attack him after they discovered that he was involved in the abduction of the two priests.
She said, “At about 4:25 pm on Monday, we received intelligence that a kidnap suspect, Christopher Yaro, had escaped to Ijebu-Ode after he was alleged to have conspired with another member of the church and five other men to kidnap the two priests in the Pankshin area of Plateau State.
“The suspects were with four K.2 rifles when they carried out the crime. Yaro has been arrested. Further information will be made available to the public as soon as the investigation is completed.”