The pastor who faked his kidnapping burnt the senior pastor's car to divert attention - Church member reveals

Members of ECWA Church Janta Apata, Jos, have narrated how one of their pastors, identified as Albarka Bitrus Sukaya, faked his kidnapping twice with three of his accomplices and collected ransom from them.

Recall that the clergyman was arrested a few days ago by officials of the Plateau state police after an intelligence gathering linked him to the evil act, which he confessed to committing.

A church member who spoke to BBC pidgin said that after the first kidnap, sympathizing worshipers gathered N400,000 as ransom, while N200,000 was paid during the second kidnap. He also expressed his disappointment in the pastor, noting that after this incident he now finds it difficult to believe any minister of God again.

Another member suggested that intending pastors should be scrutinized thoroughly before allowing them to take the job.

Speaking on the burning of two cars (a Toyota and a Mercedes Benz) belonging to the senior pastor by the suspect, a member said that the cleric burned the cars to divert attention from his staged kidnapping issue. He added that they thank God the fire didn't affect the church building as people quickly put out the fire before it escalated.