EXTRA: Pastor staged own kidnap — and church members paid ransom, say police

The Plateau police command has arrested one Albarka Sukuya, a pastor, for allegedly kidnapping himself and collecting ransom from church members.

Alfred Alabo, the command’s public relations officer, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the suspect was arrested by the police in November 2022 after incidents of staging his kidnap to dupe unsuspecting persons. 

Alabo added that prior to the pastor’s arrest, he had staged two kidnap incidents during which he collected N400,000 and N200,000 as ransom from his church members.

“The police has 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,” the statement reads. 

“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 ransom for his release, the incidents triggered suspicion.

“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 ransom. 

“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. 

“He has confessed to committing the crime.”

Alabo said the suspect has revealed the identity of three other members of his gang, adding that two of them were arrested while one is still at large.