Gunmen Abduct Imam's Relatives In Bauchi

Unidentified gunmen have abducted 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 of Bauchi State, Nigeria, following a raid on his residence on Saturday night.

Local residents reported that the incident occurred at approximately 10:30 PM on Saturday, 14 February 2026, when the armed assailants stormed Digare town. They reportedly fired shots indiscriminately before forcing entry into the Imam’s home.

A resident of Digare, who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons, confirmed that the gunmen specifically targeted the Chief Imam’s residence. Fortunately, the Imam himself narrowly escaped before the attackers could gain access to his room.

Police Confirm Abduction and Related Rescue

The Bauchi State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, confirmed the abduction. He stated that the police received a report on 15 February 2026, at approximately 09:41 AM, detailing a kidnapping incident that had taken place the previous night at 22:30 PM in Anguwan Madaki, Digare village of Alkaleri LGA.

SP Habib further explained that the complainant reported the unknown gunmen had broken into his residence and abducted four female family members: Rukayya Junaidu, 19; Nafisa Zubairu, 19; Safiya Imam Lata, 18; and Maryam Dadalliya, 30. The kidnappers also stole two black Tecno mobile phones during the raid.

In a related and more positive development, SP Habib disclosed in a separate statement that a joint rescue operation had been successfully carried out. Operatives from the Police, Army, and local vigilante groups managed to rescue two individuals, 35-year-old Lawiza Abubakar and 10-year-old Musa Abdullahi, unharmed from kidnappers in the same Digare village of Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state. This highlights ongoing efforts to combat the pervasive crime and insecurity in the region.

(SOURCE: Daily Trust)