Plateau pastor kidnaps self twice, rakes ransom from church members, arrested
By KEMI KASUMU
The Nigerian Police Force, Plateau State Police Command, says it has arrested a pastor, who conspired with his gang to kidnap him not less than two times and collected ransom from his sympathetic church members for his release.
The pastor, named Albarka Sukuya, was arrested following suspicion and investigation triggered by the frequency of his kidnappings.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, who confirmed this to The DEFENDER on Wednesday January 11, 2023, gave details of the development in a statement he issued in Jos, the state capital.
According to Alabo, the man of God was arrested by his outfit in November 2022, and he admitted to being behind his own kidnappings to make money off his suffering congregants.
“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.
“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 an 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,” DSP Alabo said in the statement, as quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Pastor Sukuya, after his arrest, disclosed the identity of three members of his self-kidnapping gang, two of whom he said were arrested while the remaining one is on the run.
The man of God and his accomplices are expected to be put before a court to answer for their alleged crimes.
