Kidnaping of six Islamic clerics confirmed as Zamfara police move for rescue
By IBRAHIM KANOMA, Gusau
The security teams have since commenced an intensive search of the surrounding bushes in a bid to rescue the abducted clerics and apprehend the perpetrators.
The DEFENDER can now authoritatively report that the abduction of six Islamic clerics in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State, following an attack by armed bandits along the Dakko–Damri feeder road.
This is as the Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the incident to pressmen in Gusau, the state capital, 72 hours after it had trended as rumour on social media.
The rumour had spread that the clerics were kidnapped after attending a gathering for the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by Director General of his Presidential Campaign Council Senator AbdulAziz Abubakar Yari, at his home town of Talata Mafara.
The confirmation was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
The statement said the incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026, when armed bandits reportedly ambushed a vehicle conveying the clerics, who were travelling to Talata Mafara.
According to the state police Command, the victims, all identified as Imams, were intercepted and taken into the surrounding bushes by the armed assailants.
Following receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Bakura Division mobilised police personnel, including operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with other security agencies, to the scene.
The security teams have since commenced an intensive search of the surrounding bushes in a bid to rescue the abducted clerics and apprehend the perpetrators.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Muhammad Bello, directed the operatives involved in the operation to intensify efforts and deploy all available resources towards securing the safe release of the victims.
He also appealed to members of the public to provide credible and timely information that could assist the security agencies in rescuing the clerics and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
