Pastor, Air Force and Navy personnel arrested as police uncover plot to kidnap Anglican bishops’ wives in Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of some suspects in connection with an alleged attempt to kidnap the wives of two Anglican Bishops of Jos.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama had earlier reported that a clergyman, Air Force and Navy personnel were arrested over the alleged plot. 

The suspects were arrested at about 2:10 p.m. on August 7, 2026 following credible intelligence received by the police regarding an alleged criminal conspiracy and foiled kidnapping attempt.

One of the suspects identified as as Rev. Hassan Yunisim Mijah, 42, of Tudun Wada, Jos North, allegedly conspired with Sgt. Ezra Sunday, a Nigerian Air Force personnel, and OS Usman Khalid, a 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.

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.

On interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime. 

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ayodeji Faniyan, confirmed the arrest on Friday, August 14, 2026 during his maiden press briefing at the Police Officers’ Mess in Jos, saying the command had commenced investigation into the alleged botched abduction.

Faniyan said the suspects were currently in police custody and would be charged to court, if found culpable at the conclusion of investigation.

“As regards the case of attempted kidnap of the wives of the current and former Bishop of Jos, Anglican Communion, we have arrested the suspects and they are currently in our custody,,” he said.

“We are investigating their involvement in the incident and at the end of the investigation, they will be charged to court if found culpable.”

The Commissioner said the vigilance of the police helped to expose the alleged plot before it could be executed, assuring that the matter would not be swept under the carpet.

Faniyan, who assumed duty as the 47th Commissioner of Police in Plateau State on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, said his administration would adopt proactive, intelligence-led and technology-driven policing to tackle crime and protect lives and property across the state.

He said the command would sustain robust operations against criminal elements, particularly terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals, stressing that no offender would be allowed to escape justice.

According to him, his mandate is “to make policing in Plateau State a positive model for others.”

The CP said the command would operate a human-rights-centred policing system anchored on professionalism, accountability, integrity and respect for the rule of law.

He also declared zero tolerance for corruption and unprofessional conduct among police personnel.

“There will be zero tolerance for corruption and unprofessionalism. We are waging total war against corruption and unprofessional behaviour,” he said.

Faniyan disclosed that anti-vice squads in the command would be re-jigged and reinvigorated, while public complaint channels would be widely publicised to enable members of the public report police infractions.

The Commissioner said community policing would receive priority under his administration, with traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, vigilantes and other stakeholders to be integrated into the command’s security architecture.

He disclosed that the Plateau Command had received additional security assets from the Force Headquarters, including personnel, equipment and logistics, but appealed for further support to enable the command effectively confront its security challenges.

Faniyan also warned residents against jungle justice, describing it as a criminal act that could amount to culpable homicide where it resulted in the death of a suspect.

“I wish to state unequivocally that jungle justice is a criminal act, and where it results in the death of a suspect, constitutes culpable homicide.

“Under my watch, the command will treat all cases of jungle justice with the seriousness it deserves, and perpetrators will be made to face the full weight of the law,” he said.

He appealed to the people of Plateau to provide the police with timely and credible information, stressing that security could only be effectively achieved through partnership between security agencies and the public.

“Security thrives on information. Give us timely and credible information, cooperate with our officers, and together we will make Plateau State the safest state in Nigeria,” Faniyan added.