ARMY REJECTS CLAIM THAT ISLAMIC SCHOLARS WERE KIDNAPPED AT YARI’S RESIDENCE

The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports that a group of Islamic scholars were abducted at the residence of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of the state. The Army described the report as misleading and said no Islamic cleric was kidnapped at the former governor’s residence, urging the public to disregard unverified accounts that could create unnecessary panic.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba. According to the Army, there was no abduction at Yari’s residence as reported in some media accounts. The military said the location of the alleged incident had been wrongly presented, stressing that the claim that the scholars were taken away from the senator’s residence was entirely false.

However, the Army confirmed that some people were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara. It said intelligence available to security agencies indicated that the victims were kidnapped while on the route and not from Yari’s residence. Troops, working together with other security agencies and local intelligence networks, have consequently intensified efforts to locate and rescue the victims.

The military said its personnel and other security operatives were already taking steps to secure the release of those abducted and gather further information about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The clarification comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of Zamfara, where communities and travellers continue to face threats from armed groups involved in kidnapping and other criminal activities. The Army said it was relying on intelligence from local communities and other security agencies to support the ongoing operation.

The Army also appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant while the rescue efforts continue. It warned against the circulation of sensationalised or unverified reports, saying such information could cause unnecessary fear and potentially compromise ongoing tactical operations. The military urged members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and actionable information that could help in locating the victims and bringing those responsible for the abduction to justice.