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Six Islamic clerics have been abducted by gunmen while travelling along the Dakko-Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Yazid Abubakar, spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to Abubakar, the clerics were travelling to Talata Mafara when their vehicle came under attack at about 11:30 am on Saturday.
He said the attackers, who were reportedly carrying sophisticated weapons, ambushed the vehicle and took away the six occupants, all of whom were identified as Imams.
Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in Bakura mobilised personnel from the command, including members of the Violence Crime Response Unit, alongside other security agencies, to begin a search for the victims.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Bakura Division, promptly mobilised and led Police personnel, including the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with other sister security agencies, to the scene of the incident,” Abubakar said.
He added that security personnel were searching surrounding bushes and other areas in an effort to locate the abducted clerics and secure their release.
The state Commissioner of Police, A. M. Bello, has directed the operatives involved in the operation to intensify their efforts and deploy all available resources to rescue the victims.
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The police also appealed to residents to provide credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in locating the clerics and apprehending those responsible.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has rejected reports that the six clerics were abducted from the residence of Abdul’aziz Yari, former Zamfara governor and senator representing Zamfara West, in Talata Mafara.
Olaniyi Osoba, acting deputy director of Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma, described the claim as false.
Osoba said available intelligence indicated that the victims were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.
He said troops, working alongside other security agencies and local intelligence networks, had stepped up efforts to rescue the victims.
The Army urged the public to disregard what it described as “sensationalized narratives and unverified information,” warning that such reports could create panic and undermine the ongoing rescue operation.
Residents were also urged to remain vigilant and share timely, actionable information with security agencies.
