In yet another brazen act of lawlessness, heavily armed bandits on Wednesday abducted Sheikh Sulaiman Idris Faru, the Chief Imam of Faru Jumu’ah Mosque, while he was tending to his farmland in Faru community, located in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Eyewitnesses confirmed to KIIN360 that the Islamic scholar, widely respected within the community for his decades of religious leadership and moral guidance, was forcefully taken by the assailants in the early hours of the day. Sources familiar with the incident revealed that the gunmen, who rode into the area on motorcycles—a common modus operandi in the region—targeted the cleric specifically, sparking concerns of a coordinated attack.
The abduction has sent shockwaves across Faru and its environs, with residents expressing deep concern over the worsening insecurity in Zamfara, a state long plagued by banditry, kidnappings, and rural violence. Faru, a largely agrarian settlement, has seen several incidents of armed attacks in recent years, with locals lamenting what they describe as inadequate security presence and slow governmental intervention.
The latest incident further highlights the precarious state of rural safety in the North-West, where farmers and religious leaders alike have increasingly become targets. Many are now afraid to work their fields or engage in communal activities without fear of being abducted or killed.
Security agencies have yet to release an official statement on the matter as of the time of filing this report. However, local sources indicate that traditional and religious leaders in the area are already engaging with security operatives and relevant authorities in a bid to secure the safe return of the Imam.
This incident adds to the growing list of prominent community figures who have fallen victim to the region’s escalating insecurity. For many residents, the kidnapping of a revered figure like Sheikh Sulaiman is not just a personal tragedy, but a blow to the spiritual backbone of the community. The cleric is known for his advocacy for peace, his regular engagement in interfaith dialogues, and his pivotal role during communal disputes.
As calls intensify for a more robust and proactive security response in Zamfara and other affected states, the abduction of the Chief Imam serves as a stark reminder that the crisis has not spared even those most devoted to faith and peace.
