2 weeks after, abducted Zamfara imams yet to be released

Two weeks after the abduction of five Juma'at imams in Zamfara State, their location remains a mystery. The clerics were kidnapped on September 13 while on their way to attend a prayer session for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election bid in Talata Mafara. The event, organized by Abdul'aziz Yari Abubakar, the former Zamfara State governor and director-general of the Tinubu 2027 re-election campaign council, drew over 2,000 imams.

The abducted clerics include the Imams of Dakko Juma'at Mosque, Dogon Madacci, Fagon, and Tungar Nagodai, except Na'ibi Tasi'u, who is from Anka LGA.

The families and communities are struggling to meet the ransom demand of N30 million, reportedly given by the bandits. They are feeling traumatized due to the uncertainty surrounding the clerics' condition. Community members are trying to secure the release of the imams, but they are disappointed with the government's and security agencies' inadequate response. Some people are even linking the abduction to the prayer session purpose, causing further distress.

The mosques continue their religious activities as usual, with deputies managing their affairs. The bandits reportedly moved the clerics to another location, and negotiations for the ransom took place under the bandits' control or in the bush. The communities refused the bandits' offer of reconciliation, choosing to pay the ransom instead.

Informants have allegedly hindered rescue efforts by obstructing security operations on separate occasions. Meanwhile, a separate incident in Tsafe, Zamfara State, saw one person killed when bandits attacked a livestock market, marking the second attack on the market in the past two months.