The Nigerian Army has clarified that six Islamic scholars abducted in Zamfara State were seized while travelling through a forest axis, and not from the residence of former governor of the state, Abdul’aziz Yari, as earlier reported.
The Army said the clerics were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara, dismissing reports linking the incident to Yari’s residence as misleading. The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba.
According to the statement, intelligence available to the military showed that “some persons were abducted while travelling from Sububu forest axis within Bakura Local Government Area en route to Talata Mafara.” The Army stressed that “no cleric was abducted at Senator Yari’s Residence.”
The confirmation followed reports that six Juma’at Imams were kidnapped by suspected bandits while heading to Talata Mafara for a special prayer session reportedly organised for peace and the success of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The clerics were reportedly intercepted about three kilometres from Damri village, at Gidan Suleiman Bature in Gonar Sarkin Forest. The Zamfara State Police Command also confirmed the abduction, with its spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, putting the number of victims at six and saying security operatives had commenced efforts to secure their release.
The Army said troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and local intelligence networks, had intensified operations to locate and rescue the abducted scholars. It did not disclose further operational details, citing the need not to compromise ongoing tactical efforts.
The military urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, while providing security agencies with timely information that could assist the rescue mission. It also warned the public against “sensationalised narratives and unverified information” capable of generating panic or undermining ongoing security operations.
