Pastor Fakes Own Kidnap Twice and Collected N600K Ransom Payment From His Congregation

The Presiding Pastor of a yet-to-be-identified Church in Jenta Apata area of Jos, Plateau State capital, Pastor Albarka Sukuya, has been arrested by Policemen in the State for feigning his own kidnap several times in a bid to milk his Church members.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command,
DSP Alfred Alabo.

Alabo said that the police arrested the suspect in November 2022. ”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 sympathizing members of his congregation.

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”Sequel to his spurious kidnaps of Nov. 14 and Nov. 15, 2022, where N400,000 and N200,000, respectively, were paid by his sympathizers 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 investigation, it was established that the suspect has been conspiring with his gang to stage his kidnap and fraudulently collect ransom. He has confessed to committing the crime,” he said.

Alabo said that the suspect had revealed the identity of three other members of his 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