The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports that Islamic scholars were abducted at the residence of former Zamfara State Governor and Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, describing the claim as false and misleading.
The Army said the reported abduction did not occur at Yari’s residence, but confirmed that some persons were kidnapped while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.
In a situation report issued on Sunday, the 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), said it was aware of reports circulating on various media platforms alleging that a group of Islamic scholars had been abducted at the senator’s residence.
The statement, signed by Lt.-Col. Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, categorically refuted the claim.
According to the Army, intelligence reports established that the kidnapping occurred while the victims were travelling from the Sububu forest axis within Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.
It said troops, working closely with sister security agencies and local intelligence networks, had intensified efforts to locate and rescue the victims.
The military urged members of the public to disregard sensationalised narratives and unverified information which, it said, could create unnecessary panic or compromise ongoing tactical operations.
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The Army also called on residents to remain calm and vigilant while providing security agencies with timely and actionable intelligence that could assist efforts to secure the safe release of the kidnapped persons.
The clarification comes amid continuing security concerns in parts of Zamfara, where criminal gangs have exploited forest corridors and rural routes for kidnapping and other violent crimes.
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