The Plateau State Police Command has arrested a clergyman and two security operatives over a plot to kidnap the wives of two prominent bishops in Jos.
The suspects were arrested following credible intelligence received by the police about an alleged criminal conspiracy and a foiled kidnapping attempt, according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication.
“Sources at the Plateau State Command said the incident occurred at about 2:10 p.m. on Aug. 7, 2026,” Makama reported.
“The command identified one of the suspects as Rev. Hassan Yunisim Mijah, 42, of Tudun Wada, Jos North.
“According to the police, Mijah allegedly conspired with Sgt. Ezra Sunday, Nigerian Air Force personnel, and OS Usman Khalid, Nigerian Navy personnel, both attached to Sector 1, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), Jos, to kidnap the wives of Bishop Ephraim Gongden and retired Bishop Benjamin Kwashi.
“The two bishops are reportedly residents of the Rantya area of Jos South Local Government Area.”
Makama also reported that the command said that upon receiving the intelligence, police operatives led by the commander of the Vigilance and Criminal Response Unit (VCRU) immediately commenced an operation that resulted in the arrest of the three suspects.
According to the publication, the suspects confessed to the crime during interrogation.
Makama noted that the command added that Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) had been formally informed of the arrest of the two personnel attached to the operation.
The publication mentioned that an investigation was ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged conspiracy and identify and apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network.
