The Anglican Diocese of Jos has described as misleading reports and images on social media regarding the recent attempted kidnap of the wife of the incumbent Bishop of the Diocese and the wife of the immediate-past Bishop of the Diocese.
The diocese made this known in a statement signed by its Registrar, , Harrison N. Ugwuala Esq on Tuesday August 11
Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is The Most Rev. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba.
The report
A news report had been circulated earlier through the social media that a senior clergyman, Rev. Hassan Yunisim Mijah, masterminded a foiled conspiracy to kidnap the wives of the current and former Anglican Bishops of Jos, Mrs. Esther G. Gongden and Mrs. Gloria Kwashi.
The intricate kidnap plot was said to have been engineered by the cleric was reported to have been exposed when a naval officer recruited by the mastermind secretly blew the whistle and alerted the Bishop of Jos, Right Reverend Ephraim Gongden, at his residence in the Rantya area of Jos South Local Government Area.”
But the diocese debunked the story saying the alleged mastermind is not a priest in the diocese..While acknowledging that the attempt to kidnap the wives of the bishops is true, the diocese insisted that the mastermind of the plan is not a priest as reported in the story.
According to the diocese the.person being accused “is not a clergyman in its employment, authority, or jurisdiction. He does not have a working relationship with the diocese either.”
The diocese however stated that the mastermind though not a priest was formerly in the employment of the diocese but have been dismissed and was never restated as reported in the story making the round.
The diocese also frowned at the use of the picture of its Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Prof. Ephraim J. Gongden, FSTAN to illustrate the story describing it as a deliberate blackmail, wickedness, misrepresentation, and an act of hatred.
Part of the statement reads” It is misleading, sad, and unjust that the victim is now being made to look like the criminal. This is a deliberate attempt to damage the image and reputation of the Diocese, the office of the Bishop, and the Church of God.
It called on Nigerians to to remain calm, prayerful and united saying the matter has been reported to appropriate security and legal authorities for necessary action