Six Imams Abducted in Zamfara During Political Prayer Trip

Six Islamic clerics were abducted by suspected bandits in Zamfara State while traveling to a political prayer event, Nigerian security agencies confirmed on Sunday. The incident has sparked a rescue operation and highlighted the persistent insecurity in the region. The Zamfara State Police Command and the Nigerian Army confirmed the abduction of the six Jumaat Imams. The clerics were traveling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area to Talata Mafara to attend a special prayer session organized for President Bola Tinubu's 2027 reelection bid. The event was organized by Senator Abdulaziz Yari, the Director-General of the Tinubu 2027 campaign council and a former Zamfara governor. Security forces provided a specific account of the abduction's location, stating it occurred while the clerics were en route. "Intelligence reports confirm that some persons were abducted while travelling from Sububu forest axis within Bakura Local Government Area en route to Talata Mafara," the Nigerian Army said in a statement. This account contradicts initial reports that the abduction took place at Senator Yari's residence in Talata Mafara.