Pastor, two military personnel arrested over plot to kidnap bishops’ wives in Plateau

A suspected plot to kidnap the wives of two Anglican bishops in Plateau State has led to the arrest of a clergyman and two military personnel following a sting operation in Jos.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who disclosed details of the alleged plot in a post on X, the suspects were arrested after one of the security personnel allegedly approached by the suspected kidnappers rejected the plan and alerted the intended victim.

The Plateau State Police Command identified the suspects as Rev. Hassan Yunisim Mijah, 42, of Tudun Wada, Jos North; Sgt. Ezra Sunday of the Nigerian Air Force; and OS Usman Khalid of the Nigerian Navy.

The two military personnel were reportedly attached to Sector 1 of Operation Enduring Peace in Jos.

The alleged targets were Mrs Esther Gongden, wife of the serving Anglican Bishop of Jos, Rt. Rev. Ephraim Gongden, and Mrs Gloria Kwashi, wife of retired Bishop Benjamin Kwashi.

Makama reported that the alleged conspiracy began to unravel after a naval officer approached by the suspects reportedly refused to participate and informed Bishop Gongden about the plan.

The officer was subsequently said to have worked with operatives of the Plateau State Police Command’s Vigilance and Criminal Response Unit, who instructed him to maintain contact with the suspects while detectives monitored their activities.

The operation reportedly culminated in a sting at a location on the outskirts of Jos.

According to Makama, Mijah allegedly contacted the naval officer for an update on arrangements for the planned abduction and requested a location where the victims could be held.

Acting under police direction, the officer reportedly provided an address that had been placed under surveillance.

On August 7, at about 2:10pm, Mijah allegedly arrived at the location with Sgt. Sunday and Usman to collect the keys to the proposed safehouse.

Police operatives waiting at the location reportedly arrested the three suspects.

The investigation allegedly uncovered a ransom plan under which the suspects intended to demand N100 million from the Anglican Diocese of Jos following the abduction, with N50 million reportedly set as the minimum amount they would accept.

Makama also reported that Mijah had initially attempted to engage a militia group to carry out the abduction, but the arrangement allegedly collapsed after the group’s leader insisted that the two women would be sexually assaulted while in captivity.

Mijah reportedly rejected the condition and subsequently sought other individuals to execute the alleged operation.

The alleged involvement of two personnel attached to a military security operation has raised concerns about the potential exploitation of institutional access and insider knowledge in kidnapping operations.

Makama further reported that Mijah was known in some security circles and had previously provided information about suspected attackers planning attacks on communities.

The investigation is also examining an alleged dispute between Mijah and the Anglican Diocese of Jos.

According to the report, Mijah had previously been dismissed by retired Bishop Kwashi but was later reinstated by Bishop Gongden. He reportedly subsequently demanded payment of outstanding allowances from the diocese, which was allegedly not granted.

Mijah is also reportedly contesting the Numan/Lamurde/Demsa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives under the African Democratic Congress.

However, his political activities do not, on their own, establish any connection with the alleged kidnapping plot.

The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the three suspects, while the investigation continues to establish the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and determine whether other persons were involved.

The allegations have not been tested in court, and the suspects remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.