The Nigerian Army has confirmed the abduction of six Islamic scholars in Zamfara State while rejecting reports that the clerics were kidnapped at the residence of former state governor, 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 towards Talata Mafara.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday titled, “Situation Report on Abduction of Islamic Scholars in Zamfara State.”
Osoba described reports linking the abduction to Yari’s residence as misleading, insisting that no cleric was taken from the former governor’s residence.
“We wish to categorically refute the claim and set the record straight that no cleric was abducted at Senator Yari’s Residence.”
He said intelligence reports confirmed that some persons were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.
Daily Trust had reported that six Juma’at Imams were abducted by suspected bandits while travelling to Talata Mafara for a special prayer session organised for peace and the success of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The clerics were reportedly abducted about three kilometres from Damri village, at Gidan Suleiman Bature in Gonar Sarkin Forest.
The Zamfara State Police Command also confirmed the incident. Its spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said six Imams were abducted and that security personnel had intensified efforts to secure their release.
“Yes, the incident occurred, but the number of the Imams abducted was six and our men have intensified a rescue mission to ensure their safe return,” he said.
The Army said troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and local intelligence networks, had intensified efforts to locate and rescue the abducted clerics.
It urged members of the public to disregard “sensationalised narratives and unverified information” that could cause unnecessary panic or interfere with ongoing tactical operations.
The Army also appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant and provide security agencies with timely information that could assist the rescue mission.
Source: Nigerian Army
