Two weeks after five Juma’at imams were abducted by bandits in Zamfara State, their whereabouts remain unknown.
The clerics were kidnapped on September 13 while travelling to Talata Mafara to attend a special prayer session organised for the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
They were abducted at Gidan Suleiman Bature, about three kilometres from Damri village.
The prayer session was organised by the Director-General of the Tinubu 2027 re-election campaign council and former Zamfara State governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar. It was attended by more than 2,000 imams.
The abducted clerics are the Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque, Malam Shehu; the Imam of Dogon Madacci, Liman Yahuza, and his deputy; the Imam of Fagon, Liman Bala; and the Imam of Tungar Nagodai, Na’ibi Tasi’u.
The clerics are from Bakura Local Government Area, except Na’ibi Tasi’u, who is from Anka LGA.
The Zamfara State Police Command said it had launched a rescue operation to secure their release.
A son of one of the abducted imams told Daily Trust on Monday that the families and communities were struggling to meet a deadline reportedly given by the bandits to meet their demands.
He said the communities were traumatised by the continued uncertainty over the clerics’ condition.
“Anybody whose religious leader is in captivity and nobody knows their condition will never be at peace,” he said.
The son, who pleaded anonymity, said the communities had begun exploring other options to secure the release of the clerics, citing what he described as inadequate response from the government and security agencies.
He said he was part of a committee working to secure the release of the clerics.
He also expressed concern over comments by some people linking the abduction to the purpose of the clerics’ journey.
“Others feel happy, saying that it is because they are on the way to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, while some said other unpleasant comments without considering the trauma we are undergoing,” he said.
On the condition of the affected mosques, the source said religious activities were continuing as usual despite the abduction.
He said the deputies had taken over the running of the mosques as part of their religious duties.
“Their deputies are now handling the affairs of the mosques. In the case of both who were in the bandits’ den, another person was appointed to take charge,” he said.
