Bandits have demanded N30 million for the release of six Islamic clerics abducted in Zamfara State, with their families and community members reportedly making efforts to raise the ransom.
The abducted clerics are Muhammadu Shehu, Murtala Dakko, Muhammad Yahuza, Magawata Abdullahi, Bala Hogun and Muhammad Tasi’u.
A resident of Dakko village, Muhammad Ibrahim, said on Tuesday that preparations were underway to secure their release after the abductors demanded the N30 million ransom.
Ibrahim also said a serving senator from Zamfara State had reportedly pledged to pay the ransom.
“The driver was released today and has since reunited with his family in Kwatsama village. We also heard that preparations are being made for the payment of the N30 million ransom to free the abducted Imams,” he said.
The clerics were abducted while travelling to Talata Mafara for a gathering linked to a special prayer session for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC). They were reportedly ambushed along the Dakko-Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area.
Their driver and two other persons who were caught up in the incident have since regained their freedom after separate ransom payments.
According to Ibrahim, the driver’s family paid N2 million for his release, while the two other victims were freed after their families reportedly paid N300,000 each and provided two 25-litre jerrycans of petrol.
A relative of one of the clerics, who spoke anonymously, said the driver’s release had raised hopes among the families that the six religious leaders would also regain their freedom soon.
He confirmed that the abductors had given a deadline for payment of the ransom and said the families were working towards raising the money before the deadline.
Ibrahim urged the authorities to intensify efforts to secure the clerics’ release, particularly because of the age of some of the victims.
“The Imams are aged, and their stay in the bandits’ den alone could make their health conditions deteriorate. The government should therefore hasten efforts to free them,” he said.