The Nigerian Army has denied reports that a group of Islamic clerics were abducted from the residence of Senator Abdul’aziz Yari in Zamfara State.
The Army said the victims were instead kidnapped while travelling from the Sububu forest axis towards Talata Mafara, rather than being taken from the senator’s residence.
A statement of clarification issued on Sunday by the Army disclosed that the incident linked to the abducted persons occurred along the route from the Sububu forest area in Bakura Local Government Area to Talata Mafara in Zamfara State.
In its statement, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army and Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, described the claim of an abduction at Yari’s residence as false.
Osoba said intelligence available to the military established that some individuals had been abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis.
He added that troops were working with other security agencies and local intelligence networks to rescue the victims.
Moreover, the Army urged residents to disregard sensational reports and unverified claims that could heighten public anxiety or interfere with ongoing security operations.
It also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and useful information that could assist efforts to resolve the situation.