RismadarVoice Reporters, August 10, 2026
The Plateau State Police Command has arrested a clergyman and two security personnel over an alleged plot to abduct the wives of two prominent bishops in Jos.
The suspects were arrested following intelligence received by the police concerning an alleged criminal conspiracy and planned abduction of the women.
The incident reportedly occurred on August 7, according to a security report cited by the command.
The police identified the cleric as 42-year-old Rev. Hassan Yunisim Mijah, a resident of Tudun Wada in Jos North Local Government Area.
The two other suspects were identified as Sgt. Ezra Sunday, a personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, and OS Usman Khalid of the Nigerian Navy.
The security personnel were reportedly attached to Sector 1 of Operation Enduring Peace in Jos.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly planned to abduct the wives of Bishop Ephraim Gongden and retired Bishop Benjamin Kwashi.
The two clerics reportedly reside in the Rantya area of Jos South Local Government Area.
The police said intelligence gathered by the command prompted the Vigilance and Criminal Response Unit to launch an operation to disrupt the alleged plot.
The operation, led by the unit’s commander, resulted in the arrest of the three suspects.
The police said the suspects made confessional statements during interrogation, although details of the alleged statements were not immediately made public.
The command also said the leadership of Operation Enduring Peace had been formally informed of the arrest of the two personnel attached to the security operation.
The development has raised concerns over the possible involvement of serving security personnel in organised criminal activities, particularly kidnapping, which remains a major security challenge in parts of Plateau State.
The police said investigation into the case is ongoing.
Authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged conspiracy, determine the extent of each suspect’s involvement and identify other individuals who may have been connected to the alleged plan.
The command said efforts were also underway to apprehend any additional members of the suspected criminal network.
The suspects remain under investigation, and the allegations against them have not been established in court.
