Bandits have abducted five Islamic clerics shortly after they took part in a prayer gathering at the Talata Mafara residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, the Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, in Zamfara State.
A crisis reporter covering the Northwest, Bakatsine, disclosed the abductions via X on Saturday evening, days after more than 2,000 Islamic scholars and imams had converged on Yari’s residence for special prayers ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to Bakatsine, those abducted include Imam Yahuza, First Jumma’at Imam in Dogon Madacci; Magawata Abdullahi, Second Jumma’at Imam in the same community; Malam Shehu Dakko; Imam Bala Fagon; and Na’ibi Tasi’u of Tungar Nagudai.
The affected clerics had reportedly travelled from communities in Bakura and Talata Mafara local government areas to attend the gathering, which was convened to pray for peace, national unity, and the success of President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress ahead of next year’s polls.
Bakatsine described the incident as troubling, noting that it underscores the worsening security crisis in Zamfara State, where banditry and kidnappings have persisted despite the state’s political prominence. He questioned how ordinary residents could feel safe if abductions could occur at the residence of a prominent political figure.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
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