ZAMFARA, Nigeria — Five Islamic clerics abducted by bandits in Zamfara State after attending a prayer gathering for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election have remained in captivity for 41 days, with no confirmation of their release.
The prolonged captivity was disclosed on Friday by Bakatsine, a conflict reporter covering northwestern Nigeria, in an update on X.
“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 clerics’ safe return, 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.
The abducted clerics were identified as Imam Yahuza, Magawata Abdullahi, Malam Shehu Dakko, Imam Bala Fagon and Na’ibi Tasi’u.
They 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 bandits on their way home.
A subsequent update on the incident indicated that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N30 million for the clerics’ release. However, there was no confirmed information on Friday that the demand had been met or that the victims had regained their freedom.
Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, currently represents the state in the Senate and serves as Director-General of Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign.
The abduction has drawn attention to the security challenges facing Zamfara and other parts of northwestern Nigeria, where armed groups have continued to carry out kidnappings and attacks on communities.
As of Friday, October 23, the five clerics remained in the hands of their abductors, 41 days after their reported abduction.
