Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested one Pastor Izuchukwu Anoloba, 35, and others for kidnapping a Catholic priest, Fidelis Ekemgba.
The state Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Hussaini, paraded the Pastor and others who held the priest hostage for seven days.
Ekemgba also paid a ransom of N5 million to them.
The CP, who disclosed that the syndicate was a deadly one, said the pastor was arrested in Lagos following intelligence gathering by men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command.
He disclosed that the priest, 45, in charge of St. Peters Catholic Parish in Umunohu Amakaohia in Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area of the state, was double-crossed and whisked away by his abductors.
Commending his men for an excellent job, the CP said that he would continue to make the state uncomfortable for criminals.
Speaking to journalists, Anoloba said that he got N1.5 million from the ransom the priest paid them.
He said: “I am a pastor with Apostolic Church of Christ in Lagos.
“I got N1.5 million from the kidnap of the priest.
“I never knew I would be arrested.
“I regret my actions because I am now a disgrace to the body of Christ and my family.”