Bandits Hold Six Zamfara Imams for N30m Ransom, Free Driver
Six Islamic clerics abducted in Zamfara State are still in captivity after their kidnappers reportedly demanded N30 million for their release.
The development came after the driver who was taken alongside the clerics regained his freedom following the payment of N2 million by his family.
The National Lens reports that the victims were reportedly abducted along the Dakko-Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area while travelling towards Talata Mafara.
Local sources said eight people were initially taken during the incident, including the six clerics, their driver and two other persons who were returning from a farm.
The two other victims were reportedly released after their abductors demanded N300,000 from each of them, alongside two 25-litre jerrycans of petrol.
The driver was subsequently freed after his family reportedly paid N2 million. He has since returned to his family in Kwatsama village.
However, the six clerics remain in captivity, with their families facing a N30 million ransom demand. A relative of one of the victims confirmed the demand and said the families were hoping to raise the money before the deadline allegedly set by the kidnappers.
The clerics include Muhammadu Shehu, Chief Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque; Murtala Dakko, Deputy Imam of the same mosque; Muhammad Yahuza, Chief Imam of Dogon Madacci 1st Juma’at Mosque; Magawata Abdullahi, Chief Imam of Dogon Madacci 2nd Juma’at Mosque; Bala Hogun, Chief Imam of Hogun Juma’at Mosque; and Muhammad Tasi’u, Chief Imam of Kwatsama Juma’at Mosque.
The abduction occurred as the clerics travelled to Talata Mafara for a meeting. Earlier reports linked their journey to a special prayer gathering, while the Nigerian Army subsequently clarified that the clerics were abducted along the route from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area and not at the residence of former Zamfara Governor Abdul’aziz Yari.
A resident, Muhammad Ibrahim, said the release of the driver had provided some relief to the affected families but expressed concern over the continued captivity of the clerics, particularly because of their age.
He appealed to the authorities to intensify efforts to secure their safe release.
There are also reports that a serving senator from Zamfara has pledged to assist with the ransom payment, although the claim has not been independently confirmed by an official source.
The latest development has renewed concerns over the security situation in parts of Zamfara, where criminal gangs have continued to target travellers and rural communities.
The immediate priority for the families remains the safe return of the six clerics, while security agencies face pressure to intensify efforts to locate and rescue the victims.
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