Gunmen Abduct Four Female Family Members of Bauchi Chief Imam

BAUCHI — Gunmen have kidnapped four female relatives of Imam Abubakar Muhammad Digare, the Chief Imam of Jamaatu Izalatul Bidiah Wa Ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) in Digare town, Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State.

The attack occurred around 10:30 pm on Saturday when armed men descended on the quiet community, firing sporadically to instill fear before forcing their way into the Imam’s residence. A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the cleric narrowly escaped harm by evading the attackers before they could gain access to his personal quarters.

Victims Identified as Search Intensifies

Bauchi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday. He stated that a report was received at about 9:41 am regarding the kidnapping that occurred the previous night in Anguwan Madaki, Digare village.

Habib identified the abducted women as Rukayya Junaidu, 19; Nafisa Zubairu, 19; Safiya Imam Lata, 18; and Maryam Dadalliya, 30. According to the complainant, the gunmen also made off with two black Tecno phones during the invasion.

The police spokesperson did not provide further details on the abductors’ identities or whether any ransom demand has been made, but confirmed that security operatives have been mobilized.

Rescues Offer Glimmer of Hope

In a related development that suggests heightened security activity in the area, Habib disclosed that a joint operation involving police personnel, military troops, and local vigilante groups has successfully rescued two other kidnapping victims in the same Digare village.

Lawiza Abubakar, 35, and Musa Abdullahi, 10, were freed unhurt from their captors, though the circumstances of their release and whether any arrests were made remain unclear.

The successful rescue operation will likely buoy hopes for the safe return of the Imam’s four family members, as security forces continue their search in the volatile Alkaleri region, which has witnessed intermittent attacks and abductions in recent years.

Community members remain on edge as they await news of their revered cleric’s relatives, with many calling for increased security presence to prevent further incidents.