Five Sheikhs abducted after Tinubu re-election prayer still in captivity 41 days later

Five Islamic clerics abducted by bandits in Zamfara State have remained in captivity for 41 days after attending a prayer gathering for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

Conflict reporter Bakatsine, who covers northwestern Nigeria, confirmed their continued detention in a post on X on Friday.

“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.

The clerics were reportedly abducted 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.

The abductors were said to have demanded a ransom of N30 million for their release.

Yari, a former Zamfara State governor, is currently a senator and the Director-General of Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign.

As of Friday, there was no confirmation of the clerics’ release, raising further concerns over their safety amid persistent banditry and kidnappings in Zamfara State.