Suspected bandits have abducted the wives and daughters of a senior Islamic cleric in Digare town, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, triggering widespread fear among residents and raising fresh concerns over insecurity in the region.
SUNTV Global Channel gathered that the victims are family members of Imam Abubakar Muhammad Digare, the Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), who were taken during a late-night raid on Saturday.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the cleric’s residence under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically and forcibly whisking away several women and children to an undisclosed location before fleeing the area.
Security analyst Bakatsine described the incident as a troubling sign of growing boldness among criminal gangs operating in northern Nigeria.
According to him, targeting the family of a prominent religious leader is a calculated move intended to spread fear, weaken public confidence in security systems, and destabilise community harmony.
Residents of Digare said the attack has created an atmosphere of panic, with many people remaining indoors and restricting movement amid fears of further assaults.
As of the time of this report, authorities have not released an official figure of those kidnapped, while security agencies are yet to issue a detailed public statement on rescue efforts.
The latest abduction adds to a string of kidnappings, armed robberies, and violent raids reported in several parts of Bauchi in recent months, underscoring persistent security challenges facing communities across the state.
