The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of three Islamic clerics abducted by bandits while travelling to Talata Mafara Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Bello, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Gusau on Friday.
Bello said the clerics were rescued through a joint security operation involving the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services and police operatives.
He explained that security agencies were still working to secure the release of the remaining three clerics who were abducted alongside the rescued victims.
According to him, the ongoing operations are being supported by intelligence provided by residents of the affected communities to track down the perpetrators.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the six clerics were kidnapped on September 12 while travelling from the Sububu Forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area to Talata Mafara for a special prayer gathering organised to seek divine favour for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Nigerian Army had earlier clarified that the clerics were abducted while travelling, dismissing reports that they were taken from the residence of former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari.
Their abductors were reportedly demanding a ransom of N30m for their release.
A senior security operative involved in the rescue operation said the three clerics were freed unharmed following intelligence-led security manoeuvres.
The operative added that the victims were in stable condition after undergoing medical evaluation and debriefing.
The rescued clerics were also expected to be formally handed over to the Zamfara State Government for reunion with their families.
The police commissioner assured residents that efforts to rescue the remaining captives would continue, urging members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information to combat banditry in the state.
