The Nigerian Army has clarified reports surrounding the alleged abduction of Islamic scholars in Zamfara State, saying the victims were not kidnapped at the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in Talata Mafara.

The Army confirmed, however, that some persons were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area to Talata Mafara.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba.

Osoba described as false reports suggesting that the abduction took place at the residence of the former Zamfara governor.

“We wish to categorically refute the claim and set the record straight that no cleric was abducted at Senator Yari’s residence,” he said.

He explained that intelligence gathered by the military showed that the abduction occurred while the victims were travelling from the Sububu forest axis within Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.

According to him, troops, in collaboration with sister security agencies and local intelligence networks, had intensified efforts to locate and rescue the victims.

The Army appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic or undermining ongoing tactical operations.

It also urged members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and actionable intelligence that could assist efforts to secure the release of the abducted persons.

The clarification followed reports that emerged on Saturday alleging that several Islamic scholars invited to Senator Yari’s residence in Talata Mafara had been abducted. (Sunday Tribune)