Gunmen raid Bauchi village, kidnap relatives of JIBWIS Chief Imam 

Armed men have abducted four family members of the Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Imam Abubakar Muhammad Digare, during a late-night attack in Digare community, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The incident was said to have occurred at about 10:34 p.m. Saturday, as residents were preparing to retire for the night.

Witnesses said the assailants arrived, firing gunshots into the air before forcing their way into the Imam’s compound, creating panic across the area.

Residents described the operation as swift and chaotic, noting that the gunmen left the community shortly after the abduction. One of the Imam’s mobile phones, which was charging inside the house, was also reportedly taken.

Confirming the development to journalists, the councillor representing Digare Ward, Hon. Buba Jauro, said residents initially mistook the gunfire for routine security activity.

“We first heard a gunshot, then another, and assumed it was security personnel responding to insecurity in the area,” he explained. “But moments later, several more gunshots rang out, and we realised it was an attack. People were advised to rush indoors for safety.”

Jauro disclosed that the attackers specifically targeted the Chief Imam’s residence, but the cleric reportedly escaped before they could reach his room.

He said three of the Imam’s wives were initially taken, though two were later released. The kidnappers eventually fled with one wife, the Imam’s son, and two other children believed to be his nieces.

Despite the presence of security operatives in the town, Jauro said fear had gripped the community, adding that as of the time of reporting, the abductors had not made contact with the family to demand ransom.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed the abduction of the four persons.

According to him, police received a distress report on February 15, 2026, regarding a kidnapping that occurred the previous night at about 10:30 p.m. in Anguwan Madaki area of Degare village, Alkaleri LGA.

“The complainant reported that unknown gunmen invaded his residence and abducted four female family members identified as Rukayya Junaidu (19), Nafisa Zubairu (19), Safiya Imam Lata (18), and Maryam Dadalliya (30),” he said.

Abubakar added that the attackers also made away with two black Tecno mobile phones belonging to the family.

He further disclosed that a joint rescue operation involving the police, the army, and local vigilante groups had led to the successful rescue of two victims , Lawiza Abubakar (35) and Musa Abdullahi (10) without injuries.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, he said, has assured residents that security agencies are intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining abducted persons and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Gunmen raid Bauchi village, kidnap relatives of JIBWIS Chief Imam