The pastor from Jos who was apprehended by police on Wednesday, Albarka Bitrus, has given an explanation on why he staged his kidnapping and obtained a ransom from members of the church.
According to information published on Thursday, the pastor was arrested by Plateau State police after conducting a “vigorous investigation” that led to their suspicions.
The police stated that Pastor Albarka, of the ECWA Church in Jos, had posed as the kidnapper victim’s on multiple occasions and demanded ransom in collaboration with to perform the crime.
The accused admitted staging his kidnapping because of financial difficulties, but he later expressed regret for his actions in a speech at the command’s headquarters.
He said; “I put myself into these activities because of the financial challenges I am facing. When I did the first one, I felt guilty. When I went out, the money with me got 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.
When questioned regarding the motive behind burning his senior pastor’s car, the defendant responded, “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.’’
The suspect, according to the police, had amassed the sum of N400,000 on November 14, 2022. On November 30, he organized a second kidnapping and amassed the sum of N200,000 from his supporters, who are his church members.
