Suspected terrorists have reportedly abducted several Islamic clerics, who gathered at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State to pray for the success of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 elections.
Mr. Yari, a former Zamfara governor, was recently appointed to spearhead Tinubu’s reelection bid as director-general of the campaign.
The incident was disclosed in a post on Saturday evening by crisis reporter in the Northwest region, Bakatsine, via his X handle.
Bakatsine said the clerics were abducted after attending the gathering at Yari’s residence, where over 2,000 Islamic scholars and imams had earlier assembled for special prayers ahead of the 2027 elections.
He identified some of those reportedly abducted as Imam Yahuza, the First Jumma’at Imam in Dogon Madacci; Magawata Abdullahi, the Second Jumma’at Imam in Dogon Madacci; Malam Shehu Dakko; Imam Bala Fagon; and Na’ibi Tasi’u of Tungar Nagudai.
According to Bakatsine, the Islamic clerics had travelled from communities in Bakura and Talata Mafara Local Government Areas to attend the political prayer event.
The gathering was said to have been held at Yari’s residence, where the clerics reportedly prayed for peace, national unity and the success of Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 elections.
Bakatsine described the reported abduction as disturbing, particularly because the clerics were gathered at the residence of a prominent political figure.
He said the incident further highlighted the deteriorating security situation in Zamfara, where bandit attacks and kidnappings have continued to affect communities.
“If people can be abducted while attending a gathering at the residence of a prominent political figure, then where exactly are ordinary citizens supposed to feel safe?” he asked.
The security agencies had yet to comment on the abductions as of the time of filing this report.