The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of three Islamic clerics abducted by armed bandits in September, following a coordinated security operation involving the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force. Three other clerics remain in captivity.
Commissioner of Police Ahmad Muhammad Bello confirmed the development during an interview with journalists in Gusau, the state capital, on Friday, October 30, 2026. He said security agencies were continuing intelligence-led operations to locate the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
The rescued clerics were among six imams kidnapped on September 12 while travelling to Talata Mafara for a special prayer gathering associated with President Bola Tinubu's administration and re-election campaign.
According to the police, heavily armed attackers intercepted their vehicle at approximately 11:30 a.m. along the Dakko–Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area, near the Sububu Forest axis.
The abduction occurred around Gidan Suleiman Bature, approximately three kilometres from Damri village, an area affected by recurring activities of armed groups.
Bello attributed the successful rescue to cooperation among security institutions, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services and police operatives.
He said the agencies had combined intelligence gathering with coordinated tactical operations to secure the victims' freedom.
A senior security operative involved in the operation reportedly confirmed that the three clerics were recovered unharmed following intelligence-led interventions.
The victims subsequently underwent medical examinations and security debriefings. They were reported to be in stable condition and were expected to be formally handed over to the Zamfara State Government for reunification with their families.
The authorities have not publicly identified which three clerics were rescued or disclosed their precise location during captivity.
Security officials also did not provide details of the extraction site, the number of personnel involved or whether any suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation.
Earlier reports indicated that the abductors demanded ₦30 million for the release of the clerics. However, there has been no official confirmation that any ransom was paid.
The police commissioner maintained that efforts to rescue the remaining three victims were continuing, with security agencies relying partly on information supplied by residents of affected communities.
He appealed for timely and credible intelligence that could assist investigators in identifying the kidnappers' movements and locating their captives.
The rescue marks significant progress in a case that attracted national attention because of the circumstances surrounding the clerics' journey.
The victims were reportedly travelling to participate in a special Islamic prayer gathering linked to former Zamfara State Governor and serving senator Abdul'aziz Yari.
The gathering was associated with prayers for peace, national stability and the political success of President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Some earlier accounts suggested that the clerics had been abducted at Yari's residence in Talata Mafara.
However, the Nigerian Army rejected that account, explaining that the victims were intercepted while travelling through Bakura Local Government Area rather than at the former governor's residence.
Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, spokesperson for the Army's 8 Division, clarified the location following reports that had generated confusion about the incident.
The police separately confirmed that six clerics were abducted, correcting initial accounts that had placed the number at five.
Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar subsequently announced that personnel from Bakura Division had mobilised alongside other security agencies to begin rescue operations.
The search initially involved combing surrounding areas and investigating suspected locations where the abductors might have taken their captives.
The police command also appealed to residents to provide information that could support the operation without compromising the safety of the victims.
Among those identified in reports about the original abduction were Imam Yahuza, Magawata Abdullahi, Malam Shehu Dakko, Imam Bala Fagon and Na'ibi Tasi'u.
However, the available reports did not provide a complete, independently verified list of all six victims.
The latest confirmation similarly did not specify which individuals remain in captivity, making it inappropriate to identify any particular cleric as rescued or still detained without further official clarification.
The incident highlights the persistent threat of kidnapping in Zamfara, where armed groups have carried out attacks against rural communities, travellers, farmers and other civilians.
For years, communities across the state have faced violence involving abductions, livestock theft, destruction of property and demands for ransom.
The insecurity has disrupted agricultural production, commercial transportation, education and access to essential services.
Remote communities near forested areas are particularly vulnerable where armed groups can exploit difficult terrain and limited security infrastructure.
The Sububu Forest axis has featured repeatedly in reports of bandit activity, making effective surveillance and coordination important for protecting surrounding settlements.
Security agencies have conducted operations across the North-West to disrupt armed groups, rescue captives and prevent attacks on communities.
However, the continued occurrence of kidnappings demonstrates the difficulty of achieving lasting security across extensive rural territories.
The latest rescue also illustrates the importance of cooperation between intelligence organisations and conventional law enforcement institutions.
Information gathered through community contacts, surveillance and investigations can help security personnel locate victims while reducing the risks associated with rescue operations.
Nevertheless, the recovery of three captives does not establish that the kidnapping network responsible has been dismantled.
Authorities have not announced any arrests directly connected to the September 12 abduction or disclosed whether weapons or other exhibits were recovered.
The continuing detention of three clerics remains a serious concern for their families and communities.
For relatives awaiting their return, the immediate priority is securing their freedom without exposing them to additional danger.
The authorities must also establish the circumstances of the abduction and pursue lawful accountability where sufficient evidence exists.
The Zamfara Police Command has assured residents that operations will continue until the remaining victims are located.
Bello's confirmation provides an important development after weeks of uncertainty, but the case remains unresolved while half of the original group is still missing.
The rescue demonstrates the potential value of coordinated security action while underscoring the continuing need for effective protection along vulnerable rural routes.
For Zamfara residents, lasting confidence will depend on preventing further abductions, bringing perpetrators to justice and ensuring that those still held captive return safely to their families.
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