Several Islamic clerics have reportedly been abducted by suspected bandits after attending a prayer gathering at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The clerics were said to have participated in a special prayer session at Yari’s residence, where more than 2,000 Islamic scholars and imams reportedly gathered to pray for peace, national unity and the success of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State and prominent APC figure, is serving as the Director-General of Tinubu’s campaign for the 2027 presidential election.
The reported abduction was disclosed on Saturday evening by Northwest-based crisis reporter, Bakatsine, through a post on his X handle.
According to Bakatsine, the clerics were allegedly abducted after leaving the prayer gathering at Yari’s residence.
He identified some of the reported victims as Imam Yahuza, the First Jumma’at Imam in Dogon Madacci; Magawata Abdullahi, the Second Jumma’at Imam in Dogon Madacci; Malam Shehu Dakko; Imam Bala Fagon; and Na’ibi Tasi’u of Tungar Nagudai.
Bakatsine said the affected clerics had travelled from communities in Bakura and Talata Mafara Local Government Areas to attend the gathering.
The prayer session at Yari’s residence reportedly attracted more than 2,000 Islamic scholars and imams, with participants seeking divine intervention for peace and national unity as well as the electoral success of Tinubu and the APC in 2027.
The alleged abduction has, however, triggered fresh concerns about the security situation in Zamfara, particularly because the incident reportedly occurred in connection with a gathering at the residence of a major political figure involved in the 2027 presidential campaign.
Reacting to the development, Bakatsine questioned the safety of ordinary citizens amid the worsening activities of bandits and kidnappers in the region.
“If people can be abducted while attending a gathering at the residence of a prominent political figure, then where exactly are ordinary citizens supposed to feel safe?” he asked.
The reported incident adds to growing concerns over the persistence of banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State, where several communities have continued to face attacks by armed groups.
However, as of the time of filing this report, there was no immediate official confirmation from the Zamfara State Police Command or other security agencies on the reported abduction of the clerics.
