Several Islamic clerics who attended a prayer gathering at the residence of former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area have reportedly been abducted by suspected bandits.
The alleged abduction was reported on Saturday evening by Northwest crisis reporter, Bakatsine, in a post on X.
According to the report, the clerics were allegedly taken after attending a gathering at Yari’s residence, where more than 2,000 Islamic scholars and imams had assembled for special prayers ahead of the 2027 elections.
Some of those reportedly abducted were identified as Imam Yahuza, First Jumma’at Imam in Dogon Madacci; Magawata Abdullahi, Second Jumma’at Imam in Dogon Madacci; Malam Shehu Dakko; Imam Bala Fagon; and Na’ibi Tasi’u of Tungar Nagudai.
The clerics were said to have travelled from communities in Bakura and Talata Mafara LGAs to attend the gathering.
The prayers reportedly focused on peace, national unity and the success of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the reported abduction had not been officially confirmed by the police or other security agencies as of the time of filing this report.
The number of clerics allegedly abducted and the circumstances surrounding the reported incident could not be independently verified.