Bishop Reveals Kidnapping Plot Against Him and His Family

The Bishop of Jos, Anglican Diocese, Ephraim Gongden, has revealed that there was a plan to kidnap him and his family. This plot also involved his wife and the wife of his predecessor, Benjamin Kwashi.

Mr Gongden shared this information during an interview with Advent Cable Network Nigeria(ACNN) on Saturday in Jos. He mentioned that a naval officer informed him about the kidnapping plan and assisted security forces in stopping it.

Earlier, the police had reported that they arrested suspects over the plan to abduct Esther Gongden and Gloria Kwashi, the wives of the two bishops. Mr Gongden explained that the situation started on the evening of 6 August when a naval officer visited the Bishop’s Court in Jos looking to speak with him.

The bishop recounted how the officer told him he had been asked to provide a safe place for Mrs Gongden after her kidnapping. This alarming news pushed Mr Gongden to contact the police for help. At the police station, the officer played a recording of a conversation that detailed parts of the kidnapping plan. This included information about the bishop’s home, vehicles, and mobile phones, as well as how the family could be overpowered.

Mr Gongden said the police then used the officer to further their investigation. This led to the arrest of three suspects. One suspect was named as Hassan Mijah, who used to work for the Anglican Diocese of Jos. Two military personnel were also taken into custody related to this alleged plot.

The bishop said that a phone call made by Mr Mijah while the naval officer was giving his statement to the police raised further concerns about his role in the scheme. Mr Mijah later told the bishop that he was the main target of the supposed conspiracy, not his wife.

On 8 August, just two days after the plot was uncovered, the bishop and his wife visited Mr Mijah in police custody. According to Mr Gongden, Mr Mijah asked for forgiveness. "Our forgiveness does not mean that the case is ours to take and to handle. The law will take its course," he stated.

Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan, confirmed that the suspects are in custody and will be charged in court once the investigation is complete.