Five Islamic clerics abducted by suspected bandits in Zamfara State have remained in captivity for 41 days after attending a prayer gathering for President Bola Tinubu.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Bakatsine, a conflict reporter covering northwestern Nigeria, in a post on X, where he confirmed that the clerics were still being held by their abductors.
“UPDATE: The Islamic scholars are still in the hands of bandits. Let us continue to remember them in our prayers and hope for their safe return,” he wrote.
Bakatsine appealed to Nigerians to continue praying for the safe return of the clerics, expressing hope that they would soon reunite with their families.
The clerics were reportedly abducted on Saturday, September 12, 2026, while returning home from a prayer gathering held at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Those reportedly abducted include Imam Yahuza, Magawata Abdullahi, Malam Shehu Dakko, Imam Bala Fagon and Na’ibi Tasi’u.
The clerics were said to have travelled from communities in Bakura and Talata Mafara local government areas to attend the gathering before they were intercepted by the suspected bandits.
A subsequent update on the incident indicated that the abductors had demanded a ransom of ₦30 million for their release.
Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, is currently a senator and the Director-General of Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign.
As of Friday, there was no confirmation that the five clerics had been released, raising further concerns about their safety and the prolonged captivity.
The incident adds to ongoing security concerns in Zamfara State, where armed banditry and kidnappings continue to pose a threat to residents and communities.
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