Bitrus Albarka, a Jos-based pastor in Plateau State, has revealed why he staged his own kidnap.
Albarka who has been arrested by the Plateau State Police Command, on Thursday said that he staged the kidnap because of financial challenges.
According to the police, the ECWA pastor teamed up with his gangs to extort money from his church members by staging his own kidnap.
The cleric said: “I put myself into these activities because of the financial challenges I am facing. When I did the first one, I felt guilty.
“When I went out, the money with me has finished. I was thinking of coming back. I was just confused. That was why I did the second one. I am regretting my action.”
On why he burnt a vehicle owned by a senior pastor of the church, he said: “I burnt the vehicle because I was guilty of what I did. I was just confused. I don’t even know what came over me. Being a pastor, that is why the spirit of God didn’t allow me to go without confessing my action. I am sorry for what I have done. I am really sorry.”