Bandits Abduct Five Islamic Clerics Returning From Tinubu, APC Prayer Gathering In Zamfara
Five Islamic clerics have been reportedly abducted by suspected bandits in Zamfara State.
Five Islamic clerics have been reportedly abducted by suspected bandits in Zamfara State.
The clerics were alleged to be travelling home after attending a prayer meeting organised for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC when they were kidnapped.
Already, the Army has confirmed the abduction of the clerics, noting that
troops were working in collaboration with other security agencies and local
intelligence networks to rescue the victims.
intelligence networks to rescue the victims.
Sources said that the abducted clerics include Imam Yahuza, Malam Magawata Abdullahi, Malam Shehu Dakko, Imam Bala Fagon and Na’ibi Tasi’u Tungar Nagudai.
Another version of the story had it that the clerics were reportedly on their way to Talata Mafara to attend the gathering hosted by a former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, when they were intercepted by the kidnappers.
It was also, alleged that the victims were among scholars invited from across Zamfara State to meet with Senator Yari, who was expected to brief them on his recent appointment as a director in the Tinubu campaign organisation and seek prayers for the President and the APC.
According to sources, Yari traditionally holds separate meetings with various groups whenever he visited Zamfara, including political associates, labour unions, journalists, Islamic scholars and other stakeholders.
“Saturday was scheduled for the meeting with the clerics. About 2,933 Islamic scholars were invited from across Zamfara State to meet with him.
“The clerics who were abducted were travelling from Bakura Local Government Area when they encountered the kidnappers around the Sububu forest axis,” the sources further added.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, along the Dakko-Damri road in Bakura Local Government Area.
The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, CP A. M. Bello, was said to have directed security personnel to intensify efforts to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted scholars.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has dismissed reports claiming that the scholars were abducted at Senator Yari’s residence in Talata Mafara.
In a statement on Sunday, signed by the
Another version of the story had it that the clerics were reportedly on their way to Talata Mafara to attend the gathering hosted by a former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, when they were intercepted by the kidnappers.
It was also, alleged that the victims were among scholars invited from across Zamfara State to meet with Senator Yari, who was expected to brief them on his recent appointment as a director in the Tinubu campaign organisation and seek prayers for the President and the APC.
According to sources, Yari traditionally holds separate meetings with various groups whenever he visited Zamfara, including political associates, labour unions, journalists, Islamic scholars and other stakeholders.
“Saturday was scheduled for the meeting with the clerics. About 2,933 Islamic scholars were invited from across Zamfara State to meet with him.
“The clerics who were abducted were travelling from Bakura Local Government Area when they encountered the kidnappers around the Sububu forest axis,” the sources further added.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, along the Dakko-Damri road in Bakura Local Government Area.
The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, CP A. M. Bello, was said to have directed security personnel to intensify efforts to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted scholars.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has dismissed reports claiming that the scholars were abducted at Senator Yari’s residence in Talata Mafara.
In a statement on Sunday, signed by the
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt Colonel Olaniyi Osoba,
the Headquarters of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army and Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, described the reports as misleading.
The Army said intelligence reports confirmed that some persons were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.
“We wish to categorically refute the claim and set the record straight that no cleric was abducted at Senator Yari’s residence.
“The narrative that the abduction took place at the Senator’s residence in Talata Mafara is entirely false.
“Troops, in close synergy with sister security agencies and local intelligence networks, have intensified efforts to rescue the kidnap victims,” the statement added.
The Army said intelligence reports confirmed that some persons were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.
“We wish to categorically refute the claim and set the record straight that no cleric was abducted at Senator Yari’s residence.
“The narrative that the abduction took place at the Senator’s residence in Talata Mafara is entirely false.
“Troops, in close synergy with sister security agencies and local intelligence networks, have intensified efforts to rescue the kidnap victims,” the statement added.
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