Gunmen have abducted the Chief Imam of Rigachikun Mosque, Mohammed Saminu Adam, on his way to attend a wedding ceremony in Niger State, Daily Trust gathered.

Details of the location where the scholar and other travellers were abducted remained sketchy but there are reports that the incident happened on Thursday evening along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Highway.

It was gathered that the Imam was travelling in a commercial vehicle with other travellers when their vehicles came under attack.

Confirming the incident, the secretary to the Council of Imams and Ulamas, Kaduna State branch, Ustaz Yusuf Al’rigassiyu, said the council was informed about the abduction.

“Yes, we heard about it because he was our member and we are told that they [bandits] abducted him along Birnin Gwari area,” he said.

A resident of Rigachikun, who didn’t want to be mentioned because he was not authorised to speak for the family, said the bandits called the family of the Imam on Friday but it was not clear if they made a ransom demand.

According to him, the news of his abduction was announced at the mosque during jum’at sermon.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said they have not received a report on the incident.

– Daily Trust