The Nigerian Army has broken its silence on reports alleging that a group of Islamic scholars were abducted at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, former Zamfara State Governor and Director-General of the Bola Tinubu campaign organisation, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of the state.
The Army dismissed the reports as misleading and false, while confirming that some persons were abducted in the area.
According to the military, the victims were kidnapped while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara, and not at Senator Yari’s residence as widely reported.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division/Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba.
Osoba said the military was aware of reports circulating across various media platforms linking the alleged abduction of Islamic scholars to Yari’s residence and decided to clarify what it described as an inaccurate account of the incident.
He stated categorically that “no cleric was abducted at Senator Yari’s residence,” stressing that the location cited in the reports was incorrect.
The Army spokesman explained that intelligence available to the military indicated that the victims were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.
While denying the reported location of the abduction, the Army confirmed that a kidnapping incident had occurred and said security forces were already working to locate and rescue the victims.
Osoba said troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and local intelligence networks, had intensified operations in the area as part of efforts to track the abductors and secure the safe release of the victims.
The development comes against the backdrop of persistent security challenges in Zamfara State, where criminal elements have continued to exploit forest corridors and vulnerable routes to carry out kidnappings and other attacks.
The Army urged members of the public to exercise restraint and refrain from circulating sensational or unverified reports, warning that such information could cause unnecessary panic or compromise ongoing tactical operations.
Osoba said, “Members of the public are advised to disregard sensationalised narratives and unverified information capable of creating unnecessary panic or compromising ongoing tactical operations.”
He further called on residents and community leaders to remain vigilant and assist security agencies by providing timely, credible and actionable intelligence that could aid the safe recovery of the abducted persons.
The Army said Headquarters 8 Division and Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, remained committed to protecting civilians and tackling criminal elements operating across the North-West.
It also appealed for sustained cooperation from residents and community leaders as security agencies continue operations aimed at addressing kidnapping and other security threats in the region.
