Six Imams Abducted on Way to Yari’s Prayer for Tinubu’s 2027 Bid
The clerics were travelling to Talata Mafara for a special prayer gathering organised by former Zamfara governor Abdul’aziz Yari when suspected bandits intercepted them, police say.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Six Juma’at imams travelling to Talata Mafara in Zamfara State for a special prayer gathering organised by former governor Abdul’aziz Yari have been abducted by suspected bandits.
The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the abduction on Sunday, saying security personnel had intensified efforts to rescue the clerics.
“Yes, the incident occurred but the number of the Imams abducted were six and our men have intensified a rescue mission to ensure their safe return,” the command’s spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, said.
Abubakar said the clerics were abducted at Gidan Suleiman Bature in Gonar Sarkin Forest, about three kilometres from Damri, while travelling to the gathering.
The prayer session, organised by Yari, who is Director-General of the Tinubu 2027 re-election campaign council, was expected to bring thousands of Islamic clerics together for prayers for peace, security and the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
NTA had reported that about 3,000 chief imams from across Zamfara gathered at Yari’s residence in Talata Mafara for special prayers focused on peace, security and national stability.
The gathering also featured prayers for Tinubu and Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal ahead of the 2027 elections.
Five of the abducted clerics were identified in reports as Imam Yahuza, Magawata Abdullahi, Malam Shehu Dakko, Imam Bala Fagon and Na’ibi Tasi’u of Tungar Nagudai. The identity of the sixth victim was not immediately available.
A resident who spoke about the incident identified some of the affected clerics as the imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque, Malam Shehu; the imam of Dogon Madacci, Liman Yahuza, and his deputy; the imam of Fagon, Liman Bala; and the imam of Tungar Nagodai, Na’ibi Tasi’u.
The resident said the affected imams were mainly from Bakura Local Government Area, while the cleric from Tungar Nagudai was from Anka Local Government Area.
The abduction occurred amid growing fear among residents of communities around Damri and Dakko, where armed bandits have continued to attack travellers and rural communities.
Residents said the insecurity had made movement outside their communities increasingly difficult and restricted access to farmlands.
One resident also alleged that armed groups operating around Damri had imposed levies on residents in several communities, including Matsafa, Yar Matsafa, Gazamnah, Lambusu, Sabon Garin Damri, Kurhi, Mallamawa, Saturu and Cikayi, also known as Makwasa.
The resident claimed that people could hardly travel even a kilometre outside Damri without facing the risk of abduction.
The latest incident adds to a series of attacks affecting communities in the area.
In August 2025, more than 50 villagers, mainly women and children, were reportedly abducted when bandits attacked Sabon Garin Damri, with hundreds of livestock also reportedly rustled.
The House of Representatives had earlier listed Damri, Dakko and other communities in Bakura among areas facing significant security threats during proceedings in July 2024.
The security situation worsened again in August 2025, when at least 150 people were reportedly abducted in a series of attacks across several Zamfara communities, including Sabon Garin Damri and Dakko Butsa.
The police said security personnel had intensified efforts to rescue the six imams.
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