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The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of six Islamic clerics who were reportedly taken by armed bandits along the Dakko–Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area of the state.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, has once again raised concerns about the security situation along rural roads in Zamfara, particularly routes linking communities where armed groups have repeatedly carried out attacks and kidnappings.
According to the police, the six victims were all identified as Imams and were travelling to Talata Mafara when their vehicle was intercepted by a group of armed men. The assailants were reportedly heavily armed and ambushed the vehicle around 11:30 a.m., before taking the Islamic clerics away.The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the incident and said security operatives had immediately commenced efforts to locate the victims and secure their safe release.
In a statement, the police spokesperson said the report of the attack prompted the Divisional Police Officer of Bakura Division to mobilise personnel to the area. The operation reportedly includes members of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) as well as personnel from other sister security agencies.
The security teams were said to have moved towards the scene of the incident as part of a coordinated search and rescue operation, with the primary objective of locating the abducted clerics and bringing them back safely.
The abduction has added another troubling chapter to the security crisis in Zamfara, a state that has for years struggled with attacks by armed bandit groups, particularly in rural communities and along roads connecting remote settlements.The Dakko and Damri axis is not entirely unfamiliar with such security challenges. In August 2025, reports emerged of a major attack around Sabon Garin Damri in Bakura Local Government Area, where more than 50 residents were reportedly abducted by armed bandits. The attackers were also accused of rustling hundreds of livestock during the operation.
Another report by The ICIR that same month documented a series of attacks across several Zamfara communities, including Dakko Butsa and Sabon Garin Damri. The publication reported that at least 150 people were abducted in different attacks across the state within four days, highlighting the scale of the kidnapping problem confronting communities in the region.
The latest incident is particularly disturbing because it happened in broad daylight. The victims were reportedly travelling at about 11:30 a.m., rather than during the night when many rural attacks traditionally occur. The ability of armed assailants to intercept a vehicle carrying passengers during the day underscores the difficult security conditions confronting people who depend on these roads for movement between communities.
For residents, religious leaders and other travellers in affected parts of Zamfara, the situation has created an atmosphere of fear. Rural roads that should ordinarily provide a link between communities have increasingly become potential danger zones, with travellers having to worry about ambushes, abductions and attacks.
The abduction of the six Imams is also significant because religious leaders occupy an important position within many communities in Zamfara. Beyond their roles in leading prayers and providing religious guidance, Imams often serve as community figures who participate in mediation, counselling and other social activities.
Their disappearance therefore affects more than their immediate families. It has the potential to send a fresh wave of anxiety through the communities where they are known and respected.
However, the police have not indicated whether the abductors have made contact with the victims’ families or demanded ransom. At the time of the confirmation, the immediate priority of the security agencies was reportedly the search and rescue operation.
The command’s decision to involve multiple security formations also suggests that authorities are treating the incident as a serious security operation. The participation of the VCRU alongside other security agencies is aimed at improving the chances of tracking the attackers and locating the victims.
Zamfara has remained one of the Nigerian states most affected by banditry and mass abductions. Previous attacks have affected communities across several local government areas, while residents have repeatedly called for stronger security presence and faster intervention by government authorities. The ICIR has previously reported that communities in areas including Maru, Anka, Shinkafi, Maradun, Zurmi, Gusau and Bungudu have been badly affected by the wider insecurity in the state.
For now, the families of the six Imams and their communities will be hoping that the ongoing operation produces a positive result.
The police have confirmed the abduction, but the most important development now will be the safe recovery of the six clerics. Until that happens, the incident remains another painful reminder of the insecurity facing travellers and rural communities in Zamfara.
Security agencies are expected to continue their search for the victims and the armed group responsible for the attack, while further details about the identities of the six Imams, the circumstances surrounding their abduction and any progress in the rescue operation may emerge as investigations continue.
