Suspected bandits have reportedly abducted several Islamic clerics who attended a prayer gathering at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Yari is the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Tinubu, having been appointed to lead the council as the ruling party prepares for the 2027 presidential election.
The reported abductions were disclosed on Saturday evening by Northwest-based crisis reporter Bakatsine in a post on X.
According to Bakatsine, the clerics were abducted after attending a prayer gathering at Yari’s residence, where more than 2,000 Islamic scholars and imams had reportedly assembled ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among those identified as reportedly abducted are Imam Yahuza, the First Jumma’at Imam in Dogon Madacci; Magawata Abdullahi, the Second Jumma’at Imam in Dogon Madacci; Malam Shehu Dakko; Imam Bala Fagon; and Na’ibi Tasi’u of Tungar Nagudai.
Bakatsine said the clerics had travelled from communities in Bakura and Talata Mafara local government areas to attend the gathering.
The prayer session reportedly focused on peace, national unity and prayers for the success of President Tinubu and the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The reported incident has drawn attention to the security situation in Zamfara, where bandit attacks and kidnappings have continued to affect communities across the state.
The circumstances surrounding the reported abductions, including when and where the clerics were allegedly taken, were not immediately clear.
There was no immediate statement from the Zamfara State Police Command or other security agencies confirming the reported abductions as of the time of filing this report.
