Bandits demand N30m ransom for six Zamfara clerics

Bandits who kidnapped six Islamic clerics in Zamfara State have demanded N30 million for their release, while the driver abducted with them has regained freedom after his family paid N2 million.

The clerics were abducted last Saturday along the Dakko-Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area while travelling to Talata Mafara for a meeting.

A resident of Dakko village, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim, confirmed the development, saying eight people were kidnapped during the attack.

He said the victims included five Imams, their driver and two other persons who were returning from a farm.

According to Ibrahim, the two farm workers were released after their abductors reportedly demanded N300,000 each and two 25-litre jerrycans of petrol.

He said the driver was released on Saturday and had since reunited with his family in Kwatsama village after N2 million was paid to the kidnappers.

“The driver was released today (Saturday) and has since reunited with his family in Kwatsama village. We also heard that preparations are being made for the payment of the N30 million ransom to free the abducted Imams.

“According to reliable information, a serving senator from Zamfara State has pledged to pay the ransom to free the Imams. We hope this won’t take long,” Ibrahim said.

He urged the government to intensify efforts to rescue the clerics, expressing concern over their age and possible deterioration in their health while in captivity.

“The Imams are aged and their stay in the bandits’ den alone could make their health conditions deteriorate. The government should therefore hasten efforts to free them,” he said.

A relative of one of the abducted clerics, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the release of the driver had given the families renewed hope.

“This new development has raised our hope regarding the return of our fathers and the other religious leaders,” he said.

The relative confirmed that the kidnappers were demanding N30 million for the release of the six clerics, adding that the families were working to raise the money before the deadline set by the abductors.

The kidnapped clerics are Malam Muhammadu Shehu, Chief Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque; Malam Murtala Dakko, Deputy Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque; Malam Muhammad Yahuza, Chief Imam of Dogon Madacci 1st Juma’at Mosque; Malam Magawata Abdullahi, Chief Imam of Dogon Madacci 2nd Juma’at Mosque; Malam Bala Hogun, Chief Imam of Hogun Juma’at Mosque; and Malam Muhammad Tasi’u, Chief Imam of Kwatsama Juma’at Mosque.

The clerics were reportedly ambushed at Gidan Bature village in Damri Ward, Bakura LGA, while heading to Talata Mafara to attend a meeting at the residence of Senator Abdulaziz Yari.

A source said the clerics had opted for feeder roads because travellers had increasingly avoided major highways due to attacks by bandits.

“You know that in an effort to escape bandits, travellers have deserted major roads. We now resort to feeder roads for safety. Unfortunately for the clerics, the bandits staged an ambush along the Dakko-Damri feeder road and abducted them,” the source said.

The source added that the attackers might have known the route the clerics were taking.

Bakura shares borders with Bukkuyum and Anka, while the clerics reportedly travelled through feeder roads from Lambar Bakura to Dambi, Sabon Garin Dambi and onward to Talata Mafara.

Malam Hassan Mai-Fanta, Chief Imam of Izala 2nd Mosque in Shinkafi, who also attended the meeting, said he left Talata Mafara before the abducted clerics.

“I also attended the meeting at Senator Abdulaziz Yari’s residence, but those of us from Shinkafi Local Government left Talata Mafara town earlier than the abducted scholars. I only heard about their abduction yesterday.

“This is unfortunate. The bandits spare nobody. If they could have the audacity to kidnap Islamic scholars, then who will be spared? I urge the government to ensure the rescue and safe return of the abducted clerics,” he said.