By George Omagbemi
Six Islamic clerics have reportedly been abducted in Zamfara State while travelling to Talata Mafara for a special prayer gathering organised at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari.
The incident occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, but details only became widely known on Sunday, September 13, after reports of the incident emerged publicly. Earlier reports had identified five clerics as victims, while the Zamfara State Police Command has now confirmed that six imams were abducted.
According to the police, the clerics were travelling along the Dakko–Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area when armed bandits reportedly ambushed their vehicle at about 11:30 a.m.
The victims were reportedly among Islamic scholars invited to a gathering at Yari’s residence, where thousands of clerics and imams had assembled for prayers for peace and the success of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Earlier reports suggested that the clerics had been abducted after leaving the gathering, but the latest police account places the abduction on the road while they were travelling to Talata Mafara. The Nigerian Army has also said it could not independently confirm that the abducted persons were the clerics who attended or were travelling to Yari’s residence.
The development raises serious questions about security in Zamfara and the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly as the full details were not publicly established until today, September 13.
Security agencies are reportedly conducting operations to locate and rescue the abducted clerics.
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