Zamfara Bandits Demand N30m Ransom for Five Clerics

In Zamfara State, five Imams were abducted by suspected bandits while traveling from Gidan Bature village to attend a meeting at Senator Abdulaziz Yari's residence. The bandits demanded a ransom of N30 million for their release.

Malam Muhammad Ibrahim, a source from Dakko village, confirmed that the driver of the clerics was released after his family paid a ransom of N2 million. The bandits had initially demanded N300,000 each and two 25-litre jerrycans of petrol for two other individuals abducted alongside the clerics.

Ibrahim expressed concerns for the health of the aged clerics, fearing they may have been tortured. A son of one of the kidnapped Imams expressed hope that the ransom could be raised before the deadline set by the bandits.

The kidnapped clerics include Malam Muhammadu Shehu, Malam Murtala Dakko, Malam Muhammad Yahuza, Malam Magawata Abdullahi, Malam Bala Hogun, and Malam Muhammad Tasi’u.