Two weeks after five Juma’at imams were kidnapped by bandits in Zamfara State, their fate remains unknown. The clerics were taken on September 13 while en route to Talata Mafara for a prayer session supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
They were abducted near Gidan Suleiman Bature, around three kilometres from Damri village. The prayer session was organised by Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, former governor of Zamfara State, and attracted over 2,000 imams.
The imams are Malam Shehu, Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque; Liman Yahuza, Imam of Dogon Madacci and his deputy; Liman Bala, Imam of Fagon; and Na’ibi Tasi’u, Imam of Tungar Nagodai. The first four are from Bakura Local Government Area, while Na’ibi Tasi’u is from Anka LGA.
The Zamfara State Police have launched a rescue operation, but families of the victims are growing increasingly anxious. A son of one of the imams disclosed that they are racing against a deadline set by the kidnappers and feel traumatised by the uncertainty.
He indicated that families were seeking alternative ways to secure the clerics’ release, citing a lack of adequate response from authorities. He remarked on unsettling comments circulating about the clerics’ abduction being linked to their prayer for Tinubu’s campaign.
Despite the crisis, religious activities in the affected mosques have continued, with deputies stepping in to manage their affairs.
Another relative revealed that the bandits have relocated the clerics and demanded a ransom of 30 million naira, down from an initial 100 million naira. Negotiations became tense when a representative offered just 15 million naira, leading to threats from the bandits.
In a separate incident, one person died during a bandit attack at a livestock market in Tsafe, Zamfara. The attackers opened fire, causing chaos at the market before security forces intervened. This incident marks the second attack on the market in two months, raising fears among local traders and farmers.
Following these events, the Zamfara State Police Command has reinforced security in Tsafe, which has seen an uptick in bandit activities, impacting local livelihoods.
