Five Islamic clerics abducted by bandits in Zamfara State have spent 41 days in captivity after attending a prayer gathering for President Bola Tinubu.
Bakatsine, a conflict reporter covering northwestern Nigeria, disclosed their continued detention 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.
He also urged Nigerians to keep praying for the clerics, expressing hope that they would soon return safely to their families.
The clerics were reportedly kidnapped on Saturday, September 12, 2026, while returning home from a prayer gathering at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in Talata Mafara, Zamfara State.
The victims were identified as Imam Yahuza, Magawata Abdullahi, Malam Shehu Dakko, Imam Bala Fagon and Na’ibi Tasi’u.
They reportedly travelled from communities in Bakura and Talata Mafara Local Government Areas to attend the gathering.
An earlier update revealed that the kidnappers demanded N30 million as ransom for their release.
Yari, a former Zamfara governor, is currently a serving senator and the Director-General of Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign.
As of Friday, there was no confirmation of the clerics’ release. Their prolonged captivity has added to concerns over insecurity in Zamfara, where bandit attacks and kidnappings continue to threaten residents.
