Gunmen abduct six clerics at Tinubu prayer gathering

KADUNA — Gunmen have reportedly abducted six Muslim clerics in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State during a prayer gathering organised in support of President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, according to a report monitored from BBC Hausa on Monday.

The clerics were said to have attended the gathering to pray for the success of Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The event was reportedly organised by former Zamfara State Governor and Chairman of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari.

Police authorities confirmed the abduction of the six clerics, saying efforts were ongoing to locate them and secure their release.

The incident, however, generated confusion following reports that the clerics had been abducted from Yari’s residence, where the gathering was allegedly held.

A subsequent clarification by the authorities said preliminary investigations indicated that the victims were not abducted from the former governor’s residence.

Security agencies are continuing investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the abduction and locate the victims.

Zamfara, like several states in Nigeria’s North-West, has continued to experience attacks and kidnappings by armed groups despite ongoing military and security operations to curb the activities of bandits in the region.

The latest incident has renewed concerns about the safety of public gatherings and communities in the state.