Police launch rescue for six Zamfara Imams, Matawalle rallies support

The Zamfara State police command has launched a rescue operation for six Islamic clerics abducted by suspected bandits in Bakura Local Government Area of the state.

The clerics, identified as Imams, were reportedly abducted around 11:30 am on Saturday while travelling to Talata Mafara along the Dakko–Damri feeder road in Bakura LGA.

The command, in a statement issued on Saturday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, in Gusau, the state capital, said its operatives, alongside members of the Vigilance and Community Rescue Unit and other security agencies, had commenced an intensive search-and-rescue operation to secure the victims’ safe release.

“The assailants laid an ambush along the Dakko–Damri feeder road and intercepted the vehicle conveying the victims,” he said

He said the six victims, all identified as Imams, were reportedly travelling to Talata Mafara when they were abducted by the suspected armed assailants.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Bakura Division, promptly mobilised and led police personnel, including the Vigilante and Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with other sister security agencies, to the scene of the incident.

“The team of security operatives has commenced an intensive search operation, with the surrounding bushes being thoroughly combed in an effort to locate and rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” Abubakar said.

The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Bello, directed the operatives involved to intensify efforts until the clerics were rescued.

The command urged members of the public with credible information that could assist the rescue operation to contact the security agencies.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has dismissed reports that the clerics were abducted at the residence of a former Zamfara State governor, Abdul’aziz Yari, in Talata Mafara.

The Army, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Olaniyi Osoba, confirmed that persons were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura towards Talata Mafara.

It described the report linking the incident to Yari’s residence as “entirely false,” urging the public to disregard what it termed sensational and unverified information.

“We wish to categorically refute the claim and set the record straight that no cleric was abducted at Senator Yari’s residence,” Osoba said.

The Army said troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and local intelligence networks, were intensifying efforts to locate and rescue the victims.

In a related development, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has called on former political officeholders and associates in Zamfara State to support the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle banditry in the state.

Matawalle made the call when he met the former political officeholders and their associates in Kaduna on Saturday, urging them to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and its 2027 re-election bid.

The meeting focused on security, political developments and the progress of Zamfara State, while also providing the former governor an opportunity to mobilise his political structure behind the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the gathering, Matawalle said the protection of lives and property remained the primary responsibility of any serious government, stressing that the Federal Government was determined to defeat banditry and restore peace to affected communities.

He said, “Security of lives and property is the major concern of every serious government in any country. That is why the APC-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has focused strongly on securing the nation.”

The minister said Tinubu had demonstrated strong commitment to tackling insecurity through his frequent engagements and consultations on security matters.

According to Matawalle, the President would not allow the security challenges facing the country to distract his administration from pursuing economic development, peace and national unity.

He said, “Mr President has continued to engage with stakeholders and security authorities because he understands the importance of security to the development of the country.”

Matawalle urged the former political officeholders and other members of his political structure to take the message of the administration to the grassroots, particularly communities across Zamfara State.

He charged them to mobilise support for the Tinubu Again Movement and galvanise the people of the state ahead of the President’s re-election bid in 2027.

“I want you to go back to your various constituencies and continue to sensitise our people on the efforts being made by the Federal Government to secure the country,” he said.

The former governor also urged his supporters to remain united and committed to the political structure, saying collective support would be necessary to achieve the group’s objectives in 2027.

Earlier, leaders of the various groups represented at the meeting commended Matawalle for sustaining what they described as a strong political structure since his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.

They said the former governor had continued to command significant loyalty among his political associates despite his current national assignment as a member of the Federal Executive Council.

One of the leaders said, “We are here because of the confidence we have in the leadership of Senator Bello Matawalle. His political structure remains strong, and we are ready to work with him for the success of President Tinubu.”

The leaders pledged their support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, arguing that the success of the President would translate into success for them and their various political constituencies.

They also promised to take the administration’s achievements to the grassroots and mobilise support for its programmes.

“We will continue to sensitise our people and mobilise them to support the President. We believe that the success of President Tinubu is also the success of our people,” another leader said.

The minister’s appeal came against the backdrop of renewed security concerns in Zamfara, where bandit attacks and abductions remain a major challenge. (Punch)