By Kamsi Anayo
The Jos-based pastor, Albarka Bitrus, who was arrested by the police on Wednesday, has explained why he staged his kidnapping and collected ransom from members of his church.
The police in Plateau State had said they arrested the pastor following investigation into suspicious acts involving the cleric.
The police said Pastor Albarka, of ECWA Church Jos, had on several occasions staged his kidnapping and collected ransom, in collaboration with a gang to commit the crime.
Speaking at the headquarters of the command, the accused said he staged his kidnapping due to financial challenges he was facing but that he regretted his action.
He was said to have collected a total N600000 ransoms from sympathizers for his own self abduction on two occasions in traches of N400,000 and N200,000 respectively.
“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 confessed.
The Pastor who also burnt the vehicles of his colleagues 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.’’
According to the police, the suspect had collected the sum of N400,000 on Nov. 14, 2022, and on Nov. 30, he staged another kidnapping of himself and collected the sum of N200,000 from his sympathizers, who are members of his church.
