The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports that a group of Islamic scholars were abducted at the residence of former Zamfara State Governor and Senator, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of the state after reportedly praying for President Bola Tinubu’s election victory in 2027.
Crisis reporter in the Northwest region, Bakatsine had on Saturday via his X handle reported the said abduction of the clerics.
According to Bakatsine, 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.
The Army, however, denied that incident. But confirmed that some persons were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division/Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, in a statement on Sunday described the reports linking the abduction to Yari’s residence as misleading and false.
Osoba said the military was aware of reports circulating across various media platforms and moved to clarify what it described as an inaccurate account of the incident.
He stated categorically that “no cleric was abducted at Senator Yari’s residence,” stressing that the reported location of the abduction was incorrect.
According to him, intelligence available to the military indicated that the victims were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.
The Army said security forces were working to locate and rescue the abducted persons, adding that troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and local intelligence networks, had intensified operations in the area.
The Army urged members of the public to exercise restraint and avoid circulating sensational or unverified reports capable of causing panic or compromising ongoing military operations.
Osoba said, “Members of the public are advised to disregard sensationalised narratives and unverified information capable of creating unnecessary panic or compromising ongoing tactical operations.”