Pastor Nabbed For Faking Own Kidnap

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested a Pastor for faking his own kidnap and demanding a ransom payment from his family.
The police also arrested a friend of the cleric for being an accomplice in the incident which happened on Monday, January 27, 2020 at Trikaniya, Kudandan areas of Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo, in a statement on Wednesday, gave the names of the suspects to include, Pastor James Clement and George Otokpa.
He said the “fake” kidnapper demanded the sum N5m for the family of the said pastor.
Sabo said the arrest followed a report lodged by two family members of the pastor that he had been kidnapped.
The anti-kidnapping squad immediately swung into action to apprehend the kidnappers but investigations led to the duo’s arrest.
He also said the two were undergoing interrogation and would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the police spokesman said the Commissioner of Police, Umar Muri had condemned the action, warning residents against such heartless and barbaric
The statement read,
“On 27th January 2020 at about 1917hrs, one Pastor James Clement ‘m’ 39yrs of Nasarawa Tirkaniya Kaduna and George Otokpa ‘m’ of No. 23 Aleri Water by Sarki Street Kudandan in Chikun Local Government Area, were arrested by the operatives of the Command’s Anti – Kidnapping Unit for allegedly conspiring, faking the Kidnapping of the 1st suspect and demanded the payment of five Million Naira (₦5,000,000 ) as ransom from his own family through text messages using the 2nd suspect as the negotiator.
“The arrest followed a report made by two members of the family of the fake kidnapped victim about the kidnap of their relation.
“The suspect Clement James, was tracked and arrested at his hide-out where he hid himself, falsely claimed being kidnapped and conspired with his friend George Otokpa ‘m’ 22yrs (the 2nd suspect) to engage his family in negotiation for ransom.
“The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and will be charged to court on completion of investigation accordingly.
“The Commissioner of Police CP Umar M. Muri condemns such criminal mentality and cautions members of the Public against such heartless and barbaric act.
“The CP assures the good people of Kaduna State that, the Command will use the evidence against the suspects in the court of law to serve as deterrence to other people with similar criminal mind.”