Bitrus Albarka, a pastor with ECWA church who was arrested in Jos, the capital of Plateau State on Wednesday for staging his own kidnap during which he and his accomplices collected ransom of N600,000 has blamed financial challenges for his despicable action.
Albarka was arrested by operatives of Plateau State Police Command for conspiring with some other persons to kidnap and collect ransom to free himself.
He was also accused of setting a vehicle owned by another pastor ablaze.
He was paraded at the headquarters of Police in Plateau on Thursday.
Speaking during the parade, Albarka said he regretted his action.
He said he decided to embark on the second self kidnap after the money he made from the first one was exhausted.
“I put myself into these activities because of the financial challenges I am facing with. When I did the first one, I felt guilty. When I went out, the money with me has finished. I was thinking of coming back. I was just confused. That is why I did the second one. I am regretting my action,” he said.
On why he he burnt a vehicle owned by a senior pastor of the church, he said “I burnt the vehicle because I was guilty of what I did. I was just confused. I don’t even know what came over me. Being a pastor, that is why the spirit of God didn’t allow me to go without confessing my action. I am sorry for what I have done. I am really sorry.
Plateau Police Command’s spokesman, Alabo Alfred, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday that the clergyman was arrested alongside his collaborators following intelligence reports after the church members paid N600, 000 ransom to secure his release
The statement read, “The Plateau State Police Command has again uncovered the nefarious act of one pastor Albarka Bitrus Sukuya ‘m’ of Jenta Apata, Jos who on several occasions staged his kidnap with his cohorts and receive 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.
“Through credible intelligence, the clergyman was invited by the DPO Nassarawa 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.
“On interrogation, the suspect confessed to have committed the crime and mentioned the following persons as his accomplices : (1) Baruk Mailale, (2) Nathaniel Bitrus both males of Yelwan Zangam village of Jos-north and (3) Aye (surname yet to be known) ‘male of Jalingo, Taraba State.”
“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 (2) of the suspects namely, Baruk Mailale and Nathaniel Bitrus while effort is been intensified to arrest Aye, the third suspect.”

By Ayorinde Oluokun

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