By Ayodele Oni
The Nigerian Army has clarified that no kidnapping took place at the residence of former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari in Talata Mafara Local Government Area.
It, however, confirmed the abduction of six Islamic scholars in Zamfara State, while travelling.
According to the Army, the victims were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest area in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, described reports linking the incident to Yari’s residence as misleading.
The Army explained that intelligence available to security agencies indicated that the victims were abducted along the route from the Sububu forest axis to Talata Mafara.
The statement stressed that “no cleric was abducted at Senator Yari’s residence,” urging the public to disregard reports suggesting otherwise.
Earlier report indicated that six Juma’at imams were abducted by suspected bandits, while travelling to Talata Mafara to attend a special prayer session focused on peace and the success of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The latest clarification from the Army confirms the abduction but disputes the reported location where the incident occurred.
Meanwhile the Headquarters 8 Division Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, and Zamfara State Police Command have launched a coordinated rescue operation, following the abduction of six Islamic clerics along the Dakko–Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area of the state.
The victims, all identified as Imams, were travelling to Talata Mafara when armed bandits reportedly ambushed their vehicle at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
The attackers, said to be armed with sophisticated weapons, intercepted the vehicle and whisked the clerics away.
Colonel Osoba, said troops, working with sister security agencies and local intelligence networks, had intensified efforts to rescue the victims.
Also Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the Divisional Police Officer for Bakura, upon receiving the report, promptly mobilised police personnel, including operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with other security agencies.
The joint team moved to the scene and commenced an intensive search of surrounding bushes in an effort to locate and rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The Commissioner of Police, Zamfara State Command, CP A. M. Bello, has directed the operatives to intensify the operation and deploy all available resources towards securing the safe release of the abducted clerics.
The Command also appealed to residents to provide credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in rescuing the victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice
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