Plateau: Police arrests suspects over attempted kidnap of Anglican bishop’s wives

Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Ayodele Faniyan, has stated that certain individuals have been arrested in connection with a failed attempt to abduct Mrs. Esther Gongden, wife of the present Anglican Bishop of Jos, Dr. Ephraim Gongden, and Mrs. Gloria Kwashi, wife of his predecessor, Dr. Benjamin Kwashi.

Addressing newsmen in Jos, CP Faniyan stated that the police had commenced an investigation into the incident and assured that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

“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’re currently in our custody.

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

He mentioned that police vigilance resulted in the conspiracy being exposed before it could be carried out.

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Also, the State Commissioner of Police expressed concern over the recent claim of jungle justice in the state, which led to the death of a young man alleged to have stolen a phone, warning that the culprits would be prosecuted for culpable homicide.

He declared, “Jungle Justice and mob violence are criminal acts and if such actions result in a death, the perpetrators will be charged with culpable homicide.

“The command will treat all instances of mob violence with extreme seriousness and those involved will face legal prosecution.”

Faniyan, while giving an account of the operational successes of his command, said that one AK-47 rifle, three locally manufactured magazines, and 30 rounds of ammunition were recovered, while one suspect was neutralized.

He also promised that the police would engage with political actors in the state to ensure that political campaigns, which would begin shortly, were rancour-free.