RismadarVoice Reporters
September 14, 2026
The Zamfara State Police Command has launched a search-and-rescue operation for six Islamic clerics abducted by suspected bandits along the Dakko–Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area of the state.
The clerics, identified as Imams, were reportedly kidnapped at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday while travelling towards Talata Mafara.
According to the police, the victims were intercepted when suspected armed assailants allegedly ambushed their vehicle along the road.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Bakura Division immediately mobilised personnel after receiving information about the incident.
The operation involves police operatives, members of the Vigilante and Crime Response Unit and other security agencies. Security personnel are conducting an intensive search of surrounding bushes and other areas where the abductors may have taken the victims.
Abubakar said the objective was to locate and rescue the six clerics safely while also identifying and apprehending those responsible for the abduction.
The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Bello, has directed the operatives to intensify the operation until the victims are rescued.
The command also appealed to residents and other members of the public with credible information about the clerics’ whereabouts or the perpetrators’ identities to contact security agencies immediately.
ARMY DENIES ABDUCTION AT YARI’S RESIDENCE
The Nigerian Army has meanwhile dismissed reports that the six clerics were abducted from the residence of former Zamfara State Governor and Senator, Abdul’aziz Yari, in Talata Mafara.
The Army confirmed that people were abducted in the area but said the incident occurred while the victims were travelling from the Sububu Forest axis in Bakura towards Talata Mafara.
In a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the Army described claims linking the abduction to Yari’s residence as false and urged the public to disregard what it called sensational and unverified reports.
Osoba said no cleric was abducted at Senator Yari’s residence.
The Army said troops, working with other security agencies and local intelligence networks, were also intensifying efforts to locate and rescue the abducted persons and apprehend the perpetrators.
The conflicting reports surrounding the location of the abduction have added to concerns over the security situation in parts of Zamfara, where bandit attacks, kidnapping and armed criminal activity have remained persistent challenges.
MATAWALLE SEEKS POLITICAL SUPPORT AGAINST BANDITRY
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has called on former political officeholders and their associates in Zamfara State to support the Federal Government’s efforts to address insecurity in the state.
Matawalle appealed during a meeting with former political officeholders and political associates in Kaduna on Saturday, where discussions focused on security, political developments and the future of Zamfara State.
The former Zamfara governor urged his political associates to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and its 2027 re-election campaign.
He said protecting lives and property remained a fundamental responsibility of government and maintained that the Federal Government was committed to defeating banditry and restoring peace to affected communities.
Matawalle also urged members of his political structure to return to their constituencies and sensitise residents about the administration’s security efforts and other programmes.
He called on them to mobilise support for the Tinubu Again Movement ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The minister said President Tinubu had continued to engage security authorities and stakeholders because of the importance of security to economic development, peace and national unity.
Matawalle also appealed to his supporters to remain united and committed to their political structure, arguing that collective mobilisation would be necessary to achieve their political objectives.
Leaders of groups represented at the meeting subsequently expressed support for Matawalle and pledged to mobilise their members behind President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
They also promised to take information about the administration’s programmes and achievements to communities across Zamfara.
The political mobilisation comes amid renewed security concerns in Zamfara, where residents continue to face the threat of banditry, kidnapping and attacks along rural roads and communities.
The police and Army operations to locate the abducted clerics remain ongoing, with authorities urging the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in securing their safe release.
