Police Arrest Clergyman, Two Military Personnel Over Plateau Bishops’ Wives Kidnap Plot

Police Arrest Clergyman, Two Military Personnel Over Plateau Bishops’ Wives Kidnap Plot

A 42-year-old reverend, an Air Force sergeant, and a Navy seaman are in custody following a foiled abduction plot targeting the families of prominent clerics in Jos.

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested a clergyman and two serving military personnel over an alleged conspiracy to kidnap the wives of two prominent bishops in Jos. The suspects were apprehended following credible intelligence received by the police regarding an alleged criminal conspiracy and a foiled kidnapping attempt. According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the suspects were arrested on August 7, 2026, at approximately 2:10 p.m., bringing an end to what authorities described as a carefully planned abduction operation targeting the families of respected religious leaders in the state.

The police identified the suspects as Rev. Hassan Yunisim Mijah, 42, a resident of Tudun Wada, Jos North; Sgt. Ezra Sunday, a Nigerian Air Force personnel; and OS Usman Khalid, a Nigerian Navy personnel. Both military personnel were reportedly attached to Sector 1 of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) , a joint security task force operating in Plateau State to maintain public order and combat criminal networks . The involvement of active-duty military personnel in the alleged plot has added a troubling dimension to the case, raising serious questions about the infiltration of criminal networks into security institutions and the integrity of personnel entrusted with protecting citizens.

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The police alleged that the three suspects conspired to kidnap the wives of Bishop Ephraim Gongden and retired Bishop Benjamin Kwashi, both of whom are residents of the Rantya area of Jos South Local Government Area. Upon receiving intelligence about the planned abduction, police operatives led by the commander of the Vigilance and Criminal Response Unit (VCRU) immediately launched an operation that resulted in the arrest of the three suspects. During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to the crime, according to sources at the Plateau State Command .

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed that the leadership of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) has been formally notified of the arrest of the two military personnel attached to the operation. Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged conspiracy, identify other members of the suspected criminal network, and determine whether additional individuals were involved. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to preventing kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state, urging residents to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information on suspicious activities.

TheCable contacted Alfred Alabo, spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, for confirmation of the incident. Alabo answered the call but hung up shortly afterwards. He also did not respond to a WhatsApp message seeking confirmation as of press time. The development has sparked widespread concern among residents of Jos, with many calling for thorough investigations and appropriate santions for any security personnel found culpable in criminal activities.

Police Arrest Clergyman, Two Military Personnel Over Plateau Bishops’ Wives Kidnap Plot