The Zamfara Police Command has launched a focused rescue operation aimed at securing the release of six Islamic clerics who were kidnapped by armed bandits on September 12, 2026. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. along the Dakko–Damri feeder road in the Bakura Local Government Area, as the clerics were en route to Talata Mafara.

According to a statement from the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the bandits ambushed the vehicle transporting the victims, employing sophisticated weaponry during the attack. In response to the alarming situation, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Bakura Division quickly mobilized a team of police personnel, alongside members of the Vigilante and Crime Response Unit (VCRU), to the scene.

The rescue team has begun an intensive search operation, meticulously combing the surrounding bushes in an effort to locate the abducted clerics and apprehend the assailants. Commissioner of Police for the Zamfara Command, CP Ahmed Bello, has directed that all available resources be utilized to ensure the safe recovery of the victims.

In addition to the ongoing search, Abubakar emphasized the importance of community involvement in the operation. He urged members of the public to provide any credible information that could assist the security forces in their efforts to rescue the clerics and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The abduction of these clerics highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by various communities in Zamfara, where banditry and violent crime have become increasingly prevalent. The police's swift action underscores their commitment to combating such criminal activities and ensuring the safety of citizens in the region.