By Ade Oyeyemi
The Islamic clerics abducted by suspected bandits while travelling to Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, have remained in captivity more than two weeks after they were seized.
The clerics were travelling along the Dakko–Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area on September 12 when their vehicle was reportedly intercepted by armed men. The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed that six Juma’at imams were abducted in the incident.
The clerics were said to be heading to Talata Mafara for a special prayer gathering linked to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid and organised by Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, the Director-General of the President’s campaign council.
However, the Nigerian Army later clarified that the abduction did not take place at Yari’s residence, contrary to earlier reports. The military said the victims were kidnapped while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura towards Talata Mafara.
Earlier reports identified some of the victims as Imam Yahuza, Magawata Abdullahi, Malam Shehu Dakko, Imam Bala Fagon and Na’ibi Tasi’u of Tungar Nagudai. Reports have differed on the number of clerics abducted, but both the police and Army have confirmed the abduction.
The police had said shortly after the incident that security personnel, working with other agencies, had commenced a search-and-rescue operation to locate the victims and secure their release.
However, a report by Daily Trust on Monday said the whereabouts of the clerics remained unknown, with sources close to their families alleging that the abductors had moved them from their initial location.
The report also indicated that the kidnappers had contacted relatives of the victims and demanded a ransom, although details of the negotiations and whether any payment had been made were not immediately clear.
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As of Monday, September 29, there was no official confirmation that the abducted clerics had been rescued or released.
The continued captivity has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in Zamfara, where armed groups have continued to carry out kidnappings and attacks despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the violence.
