GUSAU, NIGERIA — The Nigeria Police Force has launched a rescue operation for six Islamic clerics abducted by suspected bandits in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State, as the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, rallied support for their safe return.
The clerics were abducted on Saturday shortly after attending a prayer gathering at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in Talata Mafara Local Government Area. The gathering had brought together over 2,000 Islamic scholars and imams for special prayers ahead of the 2027 elections. The victims were identified as Imam Yahuza, Magawata Abdullahi, Malam Shehu Dakko, Imam Bala Fagon, and Na’ibi Tasi’u, among others.
The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed on Sunday that a joint rescue operation involving the police, the military, and local vigilantes had been launched to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of the clerics. The Commissioner of Police, who spoke through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, said the police were working with intelligence reports and had deployed tactical teams to the area.
“The command has launched a full-scale operation to rescue the abducted clerics. We are working with other security agencies and local stakeholders to ensure their safe return. We urge members of the public to remain calm and provide any useful information that could assist the operation,” the spokesperson said.
The abduction has drawn widespread condemnation, with political and religious leaders calling for decisive action to secure the release of the clerics. Senator Yari, at whose residence the prayer gathering was held, described the incident as “a heinous crime” and urged the security agencies to act swiftly. He also called for prayers for the safe return of the clerics.
In a related development, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has rallied support for the rescue operation, directing the military to deploy additional resources to the area. Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, expressed deep concern over the abduction and assured the families of the victims that the government was doing everything possible to secure their release.
“I have directed the military and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted clerics. We will not rest until they are safely reunited with their families,” Matawalle stated. He also called on the residents of Zamfara to support the security agencies with intelligence, stressing that the fight against banditry required the cooperation of all stakeholders.
The abduction has reignited concerns about the security situation in Zamfara State, where bandit attacks and kidnappings have continued to plague communities despite repeated government operations. The incident is the latest in a series of high-profile abductions that have highlighted the growing boldness of criminal groups operating in the North-West.
Religious leaders across the country have also condemned the abduction, with the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs calling for the immediate release of the clerics. The council urged the government to take decisive action to end the spate of kidnappings targeting religious leaders and other innocent citizens.
As the rescue operation continues, the families of the abducted clerics and the wider Zamfara community remain anxious for news of their loved ones. The government has assured the public that everything is being done to secure their release, but the incident underscores the immense security challenges that continue to confront Nigeria’s North-West region. For now, the nation waits and prays for the safe return of the six imams.
