by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Police Command has again uncovered the nefarious act of one Pastor Albarka Bitrus Sukuya of Jenta Apata, Jos, who on several occasions staged his kidnap with his cohorts and received ransom from sympathizing members of his congregation.
Sequel to his spurious kidnaps of 14/11/2022 and 30/11/2022, where the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000) and Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) were respectively paid by his sympathizers as ransom for his release, the incidents triggered suspicion.
A statement to this effect was signed and issued to newsmen in Jos by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alfred Alabo.
According to him, it was through credible intelligence that the clergyman was invited by the DPO Nassarawa Gwong Police Station, CSP Musa Hassan, and investigation commenced immediately.
He said, 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.
On interrogation, the suspect confessed to have committed the crime and mentioned the following persons as his accomplices: Baruk Mailale, Nathaniel Bitrus both males of Yelwan Zangam Village of Jos-North, and Aye (surname yet to be known) ‘male’ of Jalingo, Taraba State.
He narrated thus: “The suspect further disclosed that on 04/01/2023, he set ablaze two motor vehicles a Mercedes Benz and a Toyota and a Bicycle parked at ECWA Bishara 3 Jenta Apata premises belonging to his colleagues, who he alleged one of them hates him, referring to his Senior Pastor.
“However, police operatives of Nassarawa Gwong Division, Jos-North LGA arrested two of the suspects, namely, Baruk Mailale and Nathaniel Bitrus, while effort is being intensified to arrest Aye, the third suspect.
“The Command wants members of the public to be watchful and report any suspicious happenings around them or within their area on time, as this will greatly help in arresting criminals, thereby reducing crime and criminality in the State.”
