Six Imams Abducted in Zamfara While Traveling to Prayer Event for Tinubu’s 2027 Bid

Six Imams Abducted in Zamfara While Traveling to Prayer Event for Tinubu’s 2027 Bid.

According to a statement from the Zamfara State Police Command, the incident happened on Saturday at about 11:30 a.m. The six imams were traveling in a private vehicle along the Dakko-Damri feeder road, heading to the Talata Mafara area, when armed men stopped the car and took them away.

Local residents told reporters that the clerics had been invited by former Zamfara Governor and Senator Abdul’aziz Yari to attend a special prayer session at his home. Yari is currently the Director-General of the campaign committee working for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. Reports say the gathering was meant to bring together 2,933 imams to pray for the president’s campaign.

READ: 22-Year-Old Christian Convert Wins Court Case Against Kano Hisbah After Four Days in Detention

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said most of the abducted imams came from Bakura Local Government Area. They include Malam Muhammadu Shehu, the Chief Imam of Dakko Mosque, and Malam Muhammad Yahuza, the Imam of Dogon Madachi Mosque, among others.

After news of the abduction spread, some media outlets reported that the clerics were taken from Yari’s residence in Talata Mafara. The Nigerian Army has rejected that account.

In a statement titled “Situation Report on the Abduction of Islamic Scholars in Zamfara State,” Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations for the 8 Division/Nigerian Army Joint Task Force Operation Fansan Yamma, said: “We strongly refute this claim and wish to clarify that no cleric was kidnapped at Senator Yari’s residence.”

Army intelligence indicates the victims were seized while traveling from the Sububu forest area in Bakura Local Government Area toward Talata Mafara, not from Yari’s home.

More than 48 hours after the abduction, the gunmen had still not contacted the victims’ families, according to Daily Trust. Malam Musa Dakko, a community member from Dakko village, said: “We thought the kidnappers would reach out to the families quickly, given the standing of these scholars in society, but they haven’t. All we can do is pray for their safe return.”

Residents also described the difficult security situation in the area. One resident said several villages around Damri are effectively under the control of armed groups, who “do whatever they like.” People are afraid to leave their homes, even during the day, for fear of being kidnapped.

READ: Old Photo Surfaces to Counter Claims About President Tinubu’s Age

Reports say local vigilantes chased the kidnappers after the attack and surrounded them in the bush for several hours, but could not free the captives.

The Zamfara State Police Command said that after receiving the report, officers from Bakura Division, together with the Violent Crimes Response Team and other security agencies, moved to the scene and are searching the surrounding forest.

Commissioner of Police Ahmad Bello has directed officers to increase efforts and use all available resources to secure the release of the clerics. The Army said its troops are working closely with other security agencies and local intelligence networks to speed up the rescue operation.

READ: The Minister Who Was Killed for His Christian Faith in 2011

Authorities have asked residents to stay calm, share credible and timely information to help the rescue effort, and avoid spreading rumors that could cause panic or interfere with the operation.