A former worker of the Anglican Diocese of Jos and two security operatives (names withheld) are helping the police over an alleged plot to kidnap the wives of the incumbent and immediate-past bishops, the diocese has revealed in a statement.
The diocese announced that security agencies had intervened before the suspects executed the plot.
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It rejected reports portraying the principal suspect as a serving clergyman under the current Bishop of Jos, Ephraim Gongden.
The church said the suspect worked with the diocese but had been dismissed in 2022 by the former bishop and had never been reinstated by Mr Gongden.
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The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Registrar of the Anglican Diocese of Jos, Harrison Ugwuala.
The statement followed the circulation of reports and photographs on social media, which, according to the church, linked the suspect to the current diocesan administration and portrayed Mr Gongden as being connected to the alleged crime.
Suspect no longer with the Anglican Diocese
According to the diocese, the principal suspect presents himself as a clergyman and had previously worked within the diocese.
“He was NOT reinstated by the present Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jos,” the statement said.
“The individual is NOT a clergyman in the employment, authority, or jurisdiction of the Anglican Diocese of Jos,” it said.
“The Anglican Diocese of Jos has no working relationship whatsoever with this individual.”
Reports of the alleged kidnapping plot had identified the suspect as a clergyman, creating the impression that he was still affiliated with the Anglican Church.
The diocese said that the description was inaccurate and could wrongly associate the current church leadership with the alleged criminal activity.
Two bishops’ wives allegedly targeted
The alleged plot involved the wives of both bishops.
The diocese did not disclose how the alleged plot was uncovered or how the suspects were arrested.
It confirmed the kidnap attempt and commended the security agencies for their intervention.
The diocese also did not comment on the alleged roles of the two security operatives or disclose whether they were serving members of any particular security agency.
The matter is expected to be clarified as investigations by the security agencies progress.
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Complaint over alleged cyber-bullying
The diocese said it had reported what it described as misinformation and cyber-bullying arising from the incident to relevant security and legal authorities.
It urged members of the church and the wider public to remain calm while investigations continue.
“Evil will not have the last word,” the church said.
The police have yet to disclose the names of the suspects.
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