The Plateau State Police Command has reportedly arrested a clergyman and two military personnel over an alleged plot to abduct the wives of two prominent bishops in Jos.
The three suspects were arrested on August 7 following intelligence received by the police concerning an alleged kidnapping conspiracy, according to a report by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.
The cleric was identified as 42-year-old Reverend Hassan Yunisim Mijah, a resident of Tudun Wada in Jos North.
The other suspects were identified as Sergeant Ezra Sunday of the Nigerian Air Force and OS Usman Khalid of the Nigerian Navy. Both are reportedly attached to Sector One of Operation Enduring Peace in Jos.
According to the report, the suspects allegedly targeted the wives of Bishop Ephraim Gongden and retired Bishop Benjamin Kwashi, who reportedly reside in the Rantya area of Jos South Local Government Area.
Acting on the intelligence, operatives of the Vigilance and Criminal Response Unit reportedly launched an operation that resulted in the arrest of the three suspects.
The suspects were also said to have made confessional statements during interrogation, although details of the alleged statements were not made public.
The Plateau Police Command has reportedly informed Operation Enduring Peace about the arrest of the two military personnel said to be serving under the operation.
Investigators are continuing to examine the alleged plot, including the circumstances surrounding the suspects’ activities and whether other individuals may have been involved.
The reported arrests could not, however, be independently confirmed from the Plateau State Police Command.
The command’s spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, reportedly responded to a telephone call seeking confirmation but ended the conversation shortly afterwards.
A subsequent message requesting clarification had also not received a response as of press time.
The allegations remain subject to investigation, and the identities of any additional persons who may have been involved have yet to be established.
