The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended Christopher Yaro, a suspected kidnapper who is believed to have been involved in the abduction of two Catholic priests for ransom in Pankshin, Plateau State, on February 1, 2024.
The arrest was made by police operatives in the Ago-Iwoye area of Ogun State on Monday. Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the command, shared this information with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday.
Two Catholic priests, Father Kenneth Kanwa and Father Jude Nwachukwu, were reportedly kidnapped from St. Vincent de Paul Fier Parish in the Diocese of Pankshin, located in Plateau State.
Surprisingly, the abductors turned out to be members of the same parish. They allegedly demanded a ransom of N25 million from the priests’ family and other church members in exchange for their release.
After one week of the abduction, Polycarp Lubo, the chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, confirmed the release of the priests. However, he did not confirm whether a ransom was paid.
According to PUNCH Metro, Odutola discussed the arrest. He explained that one of the suspects, Yaro, who is also a member of the church, claimed that he fled Pankshin out of fear that the community members would attack him once they found out about his involvement in the priests’ abduction.
She said, “At about 4:25 p.m. on Monday, we received intelligence that a kidnapping suspect, Christopher Yaro, had escaped to Ijebu-Ode after he was alleged to have conspired with another member of the church and five other men to kidnap the two Rev. Fathers in the Pankshin area of Plateau State.
“The suspects were with four K.2 rifles when they carried out the crime. Yaro has been arrested. Further information will be made available to the public as soon as the investigation is completed.”
