Five Islamic clerics abducted by bandits in Zamfara State after attending a prayer gathering for President Bola Tinubu have remained in captivity 41 days after their abduction.
The development was disclosed by Bakatsine, a conflict reporter covering northwestern Nigeria, in a post on X on Friday.
“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 reunite with their families soon.
The clerics were reportedly abducted on Saturday, September 12, 2026, while returning home after attending a prayer gathering at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in Talata Mafara, Zamfara State.
Those reportedly abducted include Imam Yahuza, Magawata Abdullahi, Malam Shehu Dakko, Imam Bala Fagon and Na’ibi Tasi’u.
The clerics were said to have travelled from communities in Bakura and Talata Mafara Local Government Areas to attend the gathering.
A subsequent update on the incident indicated that the bandits had demanded a ransom of N30 million for their release.
Yari, a former Zamfara State governor, is a serving senator and the Director-General of Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign.
As of Friday, the five clerics were still being held by their abductors, with no confirmation of their release.
DAILY POST reports that the prolonged captivity has raised further concerns over the security situation in Zamfara State, where armed banditry and kidnappings continue to threaten residents.
Five kidnapped Sheikhs travelling to pray for Tinubu’s re-election still in custody 41 days after