Zamfara: Army Refutes Abduction of Islamic Scholars at Yari’s Residence

The Nigerian Army has refuted reports alleging that a group of Islamic scholars was abducted at the residence of former Zamfara State Governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of the state.

The Army described the reports circulating on various media platforms as misleading, saying no Islamic cleric was abducted at the senator’s residence.

The clarification was contained in a situation report issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army and Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba.

According to the statement, intelligence reports indicated that some persons were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.

It stressed that the incident did not occur at Yari’s residence, contrary to claims circulating online.

“The narrative that the abduction took place at the Senator’s residence in Talata Mafara is entirely false,” the Army stated.

The military said troops, working in close coordination with sister security agencies and local intelligence networks, had intensified efforts to locate and rescue the victims.

It urged members of the public to disregard sensationalised reports and unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic or compromising ongoing tactical operations.

The Army also appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant while providing security agencies with timely and actionable intelligence to support efforts to rescue the abducted persons and address the security threat.

The clarification comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of Zamfara State, where criminal groups have continued to carry out kidnapping and other violent activities.