Speaking at his residence in Talata Mafara on Saturday, Yari, who also serves as Director-General of the President’s 2027 Re-election Campaign Council, met with Imams and Islamic leaders drawn from the 2,933 Juma’at mosques in Zamfara. He urged them to use their pulpits and community influence to promote peace, unity, and political awareness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This gathering is about the future of our country and our state,” Yari told the clerics. “As custodians of the people’s conscience, you have a critical role to play in guiding our communities toward understanding, patience, and support for leadership that is working to stabilise the nation.”
He said the meeting was part of wider consultations he has been holding with political, traditional and religious stakeholders in Zamfara. According to him, religious leaders remain the closest bridge between government and the people, especially in rural communities where trust in the mosque is often stronger than trust in politics.
Yari called on the Imams to preach messages that discourage violence, promote tolerance among different political groups, and encourage citizens to participate peacefully in the democratic process. He also asked them to pray for the success of the current administration and for lasting peace in Zamfara, a state that has for years battled banditry and rural insecurity.
The event drew clerics from across the 14 local government areas of the state. Many of those present described it as the first of several engagements planned ahead of 2027.
However, the mobilisation has been overshadowed by disturbing reports that emerged shortly after the prayers.
Sources in Talata Mafara said that some armed men suspected to be bandits abducted a number of Islamic clerics who had attended the prayer session for the President’s success and for peace in the country. The prayers were part of the programme held at Yari’s residence.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from security agencies in Zamfara or from family members of the clerics alleged to have been taken. Authorities have not released a statement on the number of people involved or their current whereabouts.
The uncertainty has triggered anxiety across the state. Residents and community leaders have taken to radio stations and social media to demand clarity on what happened and to call for the immediate rescue of anyone affected.
“The clerics came for prayers for peace. It will be tragic if they are now the ones in danger,” said one community leader in Talata Mafara who asked not to be named. “We need the government and security agencies to speak and to act quickly.”
The incident has sparked mixed reactions. Some residents praised the effort to involve religious leaders in promoting peace, while others questioned the safety of holding large gatherings in a state still grappling with attacks on communities and travelers.
Political observers note that Yari’s move signals an early start to campaign activities in the North West, where religious leaders hold significant sway over voter opinion. With 2027 still more than a four months away, the engagement of 2,933 Juma’at Imams suggests a strategy focused on grassroots mobilisation and moral legitimacy.
For now, attention in Zamfara has shifted from politics to safety. Families are waiting for news, communities are praying for the safe return of those missing, and pressure is mounting on security agencies to verify the reports and provide updates.
Officials say investigations are ongoing. This publication will continue to monitor the situation and provide verified updates as more information becomes available from credible sources and relevant authorities.
