By Palang Paul
A young church Youth leader Nanmwa Turfa of Nagani village in Lantang South Local Government Area of Plateau State, is alleged to have staged the incident shortly after sitting for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, prompting residents and sympathizers to rally funds for his supposed release.
Sources within the community said Turfa’s claim that he was kidnapped on his way home sparked immediate concern, leading to a coordinated effort to raise ransom money. The situation, however, began to unravel as inconsistencies emerged in his account.
Key among the red flags was the reported payment of the ransom through a bank transfer—an approach widely viewed as atypical in kidnapping cases. Suspicion intensified when Turfa returned with cash, claiming his captors had handed him part of the money.
Eyewitnesses further alleged that his behavior upon return raised alarm. He was reportedly seen packing his belongings and telling residents that the supposed kidnappers had asked him to return, a claim that deepened doubts about his story.
The narrative took a decisive turn when a woman contacted members of the community, asserting that Turfa had been staying with her at the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, throughout the period he was declared missing. According to her account, he only left on the day he resurfaced.
Confronted with these claims, Turfa was said to have admitted that the kidnapping was staged.
The revelation has sparked outrage across Langtang South, with residents demanding swift action from authorities. Community leaders warn that such deception not only exploits public goodwill but also undermines the credibility of genuine kidnapping cases in the region.
As of press time, authorities have yet to issue an official statement, though calls for a full investigation and possible prosecution continue to mount.
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