Yari Didn’t Promise To Pay N30m Ransom For 6 Abducted Imams –LG Chair

Chairman of Talata Mafara local government area of Zamfara State, Hon. Yahaya Yari, yesterday debunked reports that Senator Abdulaziz Yari had promised to pay the N30 million ransom demanded for six abducted Imams in the state.

Hon. Yahaya, who is a younger brother to the former governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, told LEADERSHIP Weekend yesterday on a telephone conversation that Senator Yari was currently out of the country and did not make any promise to negotiate or pay ransom to bandits.

He was reacting to speculations that Senator Yari had promised to pay the ransom demanded by abductors of the clerics.

“I don’t know if Senator Yari is going to pay the ransom. He is not even in the country. I am in Abuja now in his house and I know he has not said he was paying any ransom for the Imams,” he said.
On rescue efforts, the council chairman said the Commissioner of Police had deployed operatives who are combing the forest to rescue the victims.

According to him, security operatives have pushed the abductors towards the border with Kebbi State and Niger State.

“Security operatives are working for their rescue. I spoke with them and they assured me that efforts are ongoing,” he said.

LEADERSHIP reports that the clerics were abducted on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at about 11:30am along the Dakko-Damri feeder road while travelling to Talata Mafara for a meeting.

A family source who pleaded anonymity confirmed to LEADERSHIP on Thursday that 30million naira ransom was demanded, saying the abductors had given a deadline for payment of the N30 million ransom.

The victims were identified as Malam Muhammadu Shehu, Chief Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque; Malam Murtala Dakko, Deputy Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque; Malam Muhammad Yahuza, Chief Imam of Dogon Madacci 1st Juma’at Mosque; Malam Magawata Abdullahi, Chief Imam of Dogon Madacci 2nd Juma’at Mosque; Malam Bala Hogun, Chief Imam of Hogun Juma’at Mosque; and Malam Muhammad Tasi’u, Chief Imam of Kwatsama Juma’at Mosque.

They were reportedly ambushed at Gidan Bature village in Damri Ward, Bakura LGA, while using feeder roads from Lambar Bakura to Dambi and Sabon Garin Dambi, en route Talata Mafara. Yari, Talata Mafara, Bakura LGA, Dakko-Damri

Meanwhile, calls put to Public Relations Officer Zamfara State Police Command DSP Yazid Abubakar were unsuccessful as he did not respond to his calls and didn’t call back as of press time