Abductors of six Islamic clerics in Zamfara State have demanded N30 million to secure their release after the religious leaders were kidnapped in Bakura Local Government Area.
A source in Dakko village, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim, confirmed that the demand had been made and said preparations were underway to raise the money.
The six Imams were among eight people kidnapped last Saturday at Gidan Bature village in Damri Ward, Bakura Local Government Area.
The other two victims were people who were returning home from a farm. Their abductors reportedly demanded N300,000 each and two 25 litre jerrycans of petrol for their release.
The driver who was abducted alongside the clerics was released on Saturday after his family paid N2 million. He has since returned to his family in Kwatsama village.
According to the source, preparations are now being made to secure the release of the six Imams after the bandits demanded N30 million.
A serving senator from Zamfara State was also said to have pledged to pay the ransom.
The source appealed to the authorities to step up efforts to rescue the clerics, expressing concern about their age and possible health condition while in captivity.
He said the elderly religious leaders could suffer serious trauma and deterioration in their health if they remain in the bandits’ custody for much longer.
A son of one of the kidnapped Imams also confirmed the N30 million ransom demand and said the development had raised the families’ hopes that their fathers and the other clerics would soon return home.
The families are hoping the ransom can be raised before the deadline reportedly given by the abductors.
The kidnapped clerics are Malam Muhammadu Shehu, Chief Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque; Malam Murtala Dakko, Deputy Imam of Dakko Juma’at Mosque; Malam Muhammad Yahuza, Chief Imam of Dogon Madacci 1st Juma’at Mosque; Malam Magawata Abdullahi, Chief Imam of Dogon Madacci 2nd Juma’at Mosque; Malam Bala Hogun, Chief Imam of Hogun Juma’at Mosque; and Malam Muhammad Tasi’u, Chief Imam of Kwatsama Juma’at Mosque.
The clerics were reportedly travelling to Talata Mafara to attend a meeting at the residence of president Bola Tinubu campaign head Senator Abdulaziz Yari when they were ambushed along the Dakko Damri feeder road.
Sources said travellers have increasingly turned to feeder roads after abandoning major routes because of attacks by bandits.
The clerics reportedly travelled from Lambar Bakura through Dambi and Sabon Garin Dambi before heading towards Talata Mafara.
Sources suspect the abductors may have known the route the clerics were using before carrying out the ambush.
Malam Hassan Mai Fanta, Chief Imam of Izala 2nd Mosque in Shinkafi town, who also attended the meeting, said he left Talata Mafara earlier than the kidnapped clerics and only learnt about their abduction the following day.
He called on the government to intensify efforts to secure the safe return of the six Islamic scholars.
