SIX Juma’at Imams have been abducted by suspected bandits while travelling to Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, to attend a special prayer session organised for peace and the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
News Point Nigeria reports that the clerics were abducted at a place called Gidan Suleiman Bature in Gonar Sarkin Forest, about three kilometres from Damri village, while on their way to the prayer session organised by the Director-General of the Tinubu 2027 re-election campaign council and former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar.
The event was expected to bring together 2,933 Imams for special prayers, but the journey to the gathering was disrupted by the abduction of the clerics.
A resident of one of the affected communities, who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said the clerics were abducted while responding to Yari’s invitation.
“The five Imams were abducted on their way to honour the invitation of Senator Abdul’aziz Yari to Mafara for special prayers,” he said.
He identified the abducted clerics as the Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque, Malam Shehu; the Imam of Dogon Madacci, Liman Yahuza, and his deputy; the Imam of Fagon, Liman Bala; and the Imam of Tungar Nagodai, Na’ibi Tasi’u.
According to him, all the affected Imams are from Bakura Local Government Area, except the one from Tungar Nagodai, who is from Anka LGA.
The resident added that the bandits also abducted two other persons and a driver identified as Abun Abu, who were travelling separately.
He said the bandits later released one of them after collecting N1.9 million he was carrying.
“The bandits later released one among the people kidnapped because he was carrying N1.9 million generated from his sales. They collected the money and said he had paid his ransom,” he said.
The development has further heightened concerns over the security situation in the area, with residents alleging that bandits have established a strong presence around several communities and farmlands.
Expressing concern over the situation, the resident said residents of Damri had been confined to their communities because of fear of abduction.
“We are in a terrible situation. As I speak to you, I am seated in Damri village, but no one among us can walk for a distance of one kilometre,” he said.
He said the bandits had adopted tactics of hiding in farmlands and abducting people who ventured outside their homes.
“The moment you go out, the bandits are already taking shelter in our farmlands. They will just abduct you,” he said.
Another resident, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Imams were abducted in a forest between Dakko and Damri.
“They were abducted along the Dakko-Damri forest. They had not even reached the venue of the special prayers. The incident occurred on their way there,” he said.
He further alleged that several villages around Damri were under the control of bandits, who impose levies on residents for harvesting their farm produce.
According to him, the affected communities include Matsafa, Yar Matsafa, Gazamnah, Lambusu, Sabon Garin Damri, Kurhi, Mallamawa, Saturu and Cikayi, also known as Makwasa.
“All these villages are under the total control of bandits. They do and undo,” he alleged.
Asked whether residents had noticed any response from security agencies, he said there had been no visible intervention as of midnight.
“Up to now, which is around midnight as I am speaking to you, I have neither seen nor heard about the presence or any effort made by the security forces to rescue the Imams, even if it is a show of force,” he claimed.
He said the situation had made life in the communities similar to living in a prison, as residents were afraid to leave their homes even during the day.
“We have no difference with prisoners as we remain indoors always, even in the morning, except if somebody sacrifices to come out as a trial and succeeds in not being harmed or abducted by the bandits before all of us go out. This is how we are living, and that is our yardstick,” he said.
The residents appealed to the authorities to urgently intervene and improve security in the affected communities.
They also urged politicians to remember the plight of the people ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Let them remember that they are about to visit us for campaigns. Therefore, even if you did not help us as your citizens, we are pleading with you to come to our aid, even if it is for your own political interest,” he pleaded.
The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the abduction but said the number of Imams abducted was six.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust by phone.
“Yes, the incident occurred but the number of the Imams abducted were six and our men have intensified a rescue mission to ensure their safe return,” DSP Yazid said.
The Nigerian Army also confirmed the abduction of some Islamic scholars in Zamfara State, while debunking reports that the clerics were kidnapped at the residence of former governor of the state, Abdul’aziz Yari, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area.
The Army said the victims were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area to Talata Mafara.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba.
The statement, titled “Situation Report on Abduction of Islamic Scholars in Zamfara State,” described reports that the clerics were abducted at Yari’s residence as misleading.
It read, “We wish to categorically refute the claim and set the record straight that no cleric was abducted at Senator Yari’s Residence.”
The Army added, “Intelligence reports confirm that some persons were abducted while travelling from Sububu forest axis within Bakura Local Government Area en route to Talata Mafara.”
The Army’s clarification effectively placed the abduction along the route to Talata Mafara rather than at the residence of the former governor, while confirming that some Islamic scholars were indeed taken.
The military said troops, working with other security agencies and local intelligence networks, had intensified efforts to rescue the victims.
It urged members of the public to disregard “sensationalised narratives and unverified information” capable of causing panic or compromising ongoing tactical operations.
The Army also called on residents to remain calm and vigilant and provide security agencies with timely information to aid the rescue operation.