Zamfara Police Confirm Rescue of Three Kidnapped Imams After Nearly Two Months in Captivity, Three Others Remain Held.

Zamfara Police Confirm Rescue of Three Kidnapped Imams After Nearly Two Months in Captivity, Three Others Remain Held.

The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of three Islamic clerics who were abducted by armed bandits in September, marking a significant breakthrough in efforts to secure the freedom of six religious leaders kidnapped while travelling to Talata Mafara.

The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Bello, disclosed the development on Friday, October 30, 2026, during an interaction with selected journalists in Gusau, the state capital.

According to reports, the rescued clerics were among six Islamic scholars abducted on September 12, 2026, when armed men intercepted their vehicle along the Dakko Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area.

The victims were reportedly travelling to Talata Mafara to attend a special prayer gathering when the attackers ambushed their vehicle at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Bello explained that the successful rescue operation resulted from coordinated efforts involving the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS) and operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

He commended the collaboration among the security agencies, noting that intelligence gathering and cooperation with local communities played an important role in locating and rescuing the victims.

A senior security operative involved in the operation reportedly confirmed that the three clerics were rescued unharmed following intelligence led security manoeuvres.

The rescued victims were subsequently subjected to medical examinations and security debriefing. They were reported to be in stable condition and expected to be formally handed over to the Zamfara State Government for reunion with their families.

Three Clerics Still in Captivity

Despite the successful rescue, three of the original six victims remain in the hands of their abductors.

The police commissioner confirmed that security operations were still ongoing, with tactical teams relying on intelligence supplied by residents and other local sources to identify the kidnappers’ locations and secure the release of the remaining victims.

Security agencies have maintained that efforts to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice would continue.

The abductors reportedly demanded N30 million as ransom following the September kidnapping, although the latest reports have not established whether any payment was made before the rescue.

Persistent Insecurity in Zamfara

The incident highlights the continuing security challenges confronting Zamfara State and other parts of Nigeria’s North West, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted travellers, rural communities and vulnerable populations through kidnappings and violent attacks.

The Dakko Damri feeder road, where the clerics were abducted, is situated within an area affected by persistent banditry and insecurity.

The rescue of three victims represents progress in the ongoing efforts to address kidnapping incidents in the state. However, the continued captivity of the remaining clerics underscores the need for sustained security operations, improved intelligence gathering and stronger community collaboration.

The Zamfara State Police Command has appealed to residents to provide credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in locating the remaining victims and dismantling criminal networks operating across the state.

For the families of the three rescued clerics, the development brings relief after weeks of uncertainty. However, attention remains on the ongoing operation to ensure that the other three victims also regain their freedom.