Police rescue three of six kidnapped Islamic clerics in Zamfara

The Zamfara State police command has confirmed the rescue of three of the six Islamic clerics who were kidnapped while travelling to Talata Mafara on September 12.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Bello, confirmed the development during an interview with selected journalists in Gusau on Friday.

He said the rescue was achieved through a joint operation involving the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, the Department of State Services, DSS, and the police.

Bello explained that security operatives were still working to rescue the remaining three clerics, who are being held by the kidnappers.

He said the ongoing operation was being supported by real-time information from members of local communities to help security agencies locate the criminals.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reported that the three clerics were rescued through an intelligence-led operation involving the ONSA, DSS and the Nigeria Police Force.

The Nigerian Army had earlier confirmed that the six Islamic scholars were abducted while travelling from the Sububu Forest area of Bakura Local Government Area to Talata Mafara. It also dismissed reports that they were kidnapped at the residence of former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari.

The clerics were travelling to attend a special prayer session organised to seek divine favour for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Their abductors were reportedly demanding a ransom of N30 million.

A senior security operative involved in the rescue operation said the three clerics were freed without injuries.

NAN also reported that they were in stable condition after undergoing medical checks and security debriefing.

The rescued clerics are expected to be handed over to the Zamfara State Government for reunion with their families.

The police assured residents that efforts to rescue the remaining victims would continue. The command also urged members of the public to provide useful information that could help security agencies tackle banditry and other criminal activities in the region.