Zamfara LG Chairman, Relatives Dispute Police, Say Only 1 Imam, 5 Marketers Kidnapped

There are conflicting accounts over the number and identities of persons abducted on the Dakko–Damri Road in Bakura ;ocal government area of Zamfara State on Saturday.

While the Zamfara State Police Command confirmed that six Islamic clerics were abducted while travelling to Talata Mafara, the chairman of Talata Mafara local government area, Hon. Yahaya Abubakar Yari, and relatives of some of the victims insisted that only one deputy imam and five petrol marketers were kidnapped.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said bandits laid an ambush at about 11:30am on 12th September, 2026, and intercepted a vehicle conveying the victims.
He said the six victims were all identified as imams who were reportedly travelling to a Talata Mafara for a gathering.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Bakura Division, promptly mobilised and led Police personnel, including the Violence Crime Response Unit, in collaboration with other sister security agencies, to the scene of the incident,” the statement said.

The Command added that intensive search operations are ongoing in the surrounding bushes to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

The Commissioner of Police, CP A. M. Bello, PSC+, MNIPS, CCNP, has directed operatives to deploy all available resources toward the safe rescue of the abducted clerics.

LG Chairman, Family Counter Claim

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, Hon. Yari faulted reports that six imams were kidnapped, describing the claim as misleading.

“Regarding those people who were kidnapped, I’m sure of one person from Bakura Local Government — he is an imam. His intention was to attend the gathering organised by Senator Yari. He is among the six being discussed. Just one among them,” the Chairman said.

He further alleged that some politicians misled the media houses.

“Some politicians misled a lot of media houses yesterday that 6 Imams were kidnapped at Yari’s residence. Another version said they were captured on the way to Talata Mafara for Sen. Yari’s event. That’s not correct. Only one Deputy Imam from Nako is kidnapped. The other five are petrol black marketers going to the market,” he stated.

Hon. Yari said he would facilitate contact with family members of the abducted persons to clarify the matter.

“I will try to get the family relations of those kidnapped for you. It’s not my territory because it’s Bakura Local Government, not Talata Mafara. But I will try to get one. I will call someone now among the locals to come and tell you the facts about the abduction,” he added.

Corroborating the Chairman’s position, Musa Suleiman, a resident of Bakura, said his brother was among those abducted.

“My brother is not an Imam. He is a petrol black marketer. He and four other marketers boarded a vehicle with one Deputy Imam in Nako, Bakura. The five marketers were going to market for their business, not for Yari’s gathering,” Musa said.

He explained that the Chief Imam of Nako is at home and had sent his deputy to the gathering.

“The deputy was abducted. But the Chief Imam is at home now,” Musa added.

Earlier Reports

Initial reports had claimed that five clerics were abducted shortly after attending a special prayer gathering at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in Talata Mafara LGA, where over 2,000 Islamic scholars converged to pray for peace, national unity and the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC ahead of 2027.

A resident, Yahuza Tasiu, had listed those abducted as: Imam Yahuza, First Jumma’at Imam of Dogon Madacci; Magawata Abdullahi, Second Jumma’at Imam; Malam Shehu Dakko; Imam Bala Fagon; and Na’ibi Tasi’u of Tungar Nagudai.

He described the incident as “very disturbing,” saying:

“If people can be abducted while attending a gathering at the residence of a former governor and serving senator, then where exactly are ordinary citizens supposed to feel safe?”

As at press time, Senator Yari, who represents Zamfara West and also serves as DG of President Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign Council, had not commented on the development.

Security agencies have continued operations across Zamfara and other North-West states, battling banditry and kidnappings.