ABUJA -The Nigerian Army has debunked reports claiming that a group of Islamic scholars were abducted at the residence of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of the state.
The Army described the report as misleading and urged members of the public to disregard the claim.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, made this known in a statement on Sunday.
Osoba said no Islamic cleric was abducted at Yari’s residence, stressing that the claim that the incident occurred at the senator’s residence in Talata Mafara was “entirely false.”
He, however, confirmed that some persons were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area towards Talata Mafara.
He said troops, working closely with other security agencies and local intelligence networks, had intensified efforts to rescue the victims.
The statement read in part, “Intelligence reports confirm that some persons were abducted while travelling from Sububu forest axis within Bakura Local Government Area en route to Talata Mafara.
“However, troops in close synergy with sister security agencies and local intelligence networks have intensified efforts to rescue the kidnap victims.”
Osoba cautioned the public against spreading sensationalised narratives and unverified information capable of causing panic or jeopardising ongoing military operations.
He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while supporting security agencies with timely and actionable intelligence to facilitate the safe rescue of the victims.