Police arrest clergyman, Air Force, Navy personnel over alleged plot to kidnap bishops’ wives

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested a clergyman and two security personnel over an alleged plot to kidnap the wives of two prominent bishops in Jos.

The suspects were arrested following intelligence received by the command regarding an alleged criminal conspiracy and an attempted kidnapping operation.

According to police sources, the incident occurred at about 2:10 p.m. on August 7, 2026.

The command identified one of the suspects as 42-year-old Rev. Hassan Yunisim Mijah of Tudun Wada, Jos North.

Police alleged that Mijah conspired with Sgt. Ezra Sunday, a personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, and OS Usman Khalid, a Nigerian Navy personnel, both attached to Sector 1 of Operation Enduring Peace in Jos.

The suspects were allegedly planning to abduct the wives of Bishop Ephraim Gongden and retired Bishop Benjamin Kwashi, who are residents of the Rantya area of Jos South Local Government Area.

Following the receipt of the intelligence, operatives of the Vigilance and Criminal Response Unit (VCRU), led by the unit’s commander, commenced an operation that led to the arrest of the three suspects.

The police said the suspects allegedly confessed during interrogation.

“On interrogation, suspects confessed to the crime,” the command said.

The command said the leadership of Operation Enduring Peace had been formally notified of the arrest of the two military personnel attached to the operation.

Police authorities said investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged plot and identify other individuals who may be connected to the suspected criminal network.