According to the report by the BBC Hausa, said Police clarified that the clerics were kidnapped on their way home after participating in a special prayer organized to seek divine support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general election.
The prayer meeting was convened by former Zamfara State Governor and current Chairman of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari. The event drew a large gathering of religious leaders from across the state who converged in Talata Mafara to pray for peace, security, and success for the administration.
Police sources said the attack occurred shortly after the program ended, as the clerics were traveling back to their communities. Armed men suspected to be bandits intercepted them and took six of the imams away to an unknown destination. The identities of the abducted clerics have not been officially released, but authorities confirmed that efforts to locate them are ongoing.
The incident has sparked concern across the state, given the rising cases of kidnapping targeting religious leaders and civilians in Zamfara and other parts of the northwest.
But according to the military statement released on Monday addressed reports circulating on social media that the clerics were taken from Senator Yari’s residence.
The military said its findings show that the abduction did not take place at the former governor’s house where the prayer was held.
Our investigation confirms that the imams were abducted after they had left the venue, while on their way back home, and not at the residence of Senator Abdulaziz Yari who hosted the gathering.
This clarification comes after early reports suggested the clerics were picked up directly from the venue of the meeting. Security officials have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could cause panic.
Community leaders in Talata Mafara have called on both state and federal authorities to intensify operations against bandits operating in the area. They noted that religious leaders are increasingly becoming targets, which is affecting morale and religious activities in rural communities.
Families of the abducted clerics are said to be in distress and are appealing to the government for urgent intervention. As of the time of filing this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, and there has been no demand for ransom.
President Tinubu’s campaign team has not issued an official statement on the incident. However, supporters in the state have continued to hold prayers for the safe return of the imams.
Zamfara has been one of the states worst hit by banditry in recent years, with frequent attacks on villages, highways, and now increasingly on religious figures. Security experts say the targeting of clerics may be an attempt to instill fear and disrupt community cohesion.
Residents have been urged to provide any useful information to security agencies and to remain vigilant.
