No fewer than five Islamic scholars have reportedly been abducted while attending a prayer gathering at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in Talata Mafara, Zamfara State.
The clerics were said to have been abducted on Saturday, September 12, 2026, while attending the religious gathering at the residence of the former Zamfara State governor and serving senator.
Those reportedly abducted include Imam Yahuza, First Jumma’at, Dogon Madacci; Magawata Abdullahi, Second Jumma’at, Dogon Madacci; Malam Shehu Dakko; Imam Bala Fagon; and Na’ibi Tasi’u of Tungar Nagudai.
According to reports, the clerics had travelled from communities in Bakura and Talata Mafara Local Government Areas to attend the prayer gathering at Senator Yari’s residence.
The circumstances surrounding the reported abduction remained unclear as of the time of filing this report, while details about the whereabouts of the clerics and the identity of their abductors were also not immediately available.
The incident has raised serious concerns, particularly because the reported abduction occurred at the residence of Yari, a former governor of Zamfara and serving senator, who is also the Director-General of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign.
The development is expected to heighten concerns over the security situation in Zamfara, which has continued to grapple with attacks and abductions by criminal groups.
Authorities had yet to issue an official statement confirming the reported abduction at the time of this report.