Terror in Digare: Gunmen Kidnap Family of JIBWIS Chief Imam in Bauchi Raid

 

​The persistent wave of insecurity in Northern Nigeria has struck the heart of the religious community in Bauchi State. In a daring late-night raid on Saturday, February 14, 2026, unidentified gunmen invaded the Digare community in Alkaleri Local Government Area, specifically targeting the residence of the Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Imam Abubakar Muhammad Digare. The assault, which occurred around 10:34 p.m., resulted in the abduction of four members of the cleric’s family, throwing the peaceful community into a state of absolute chaos and fear.

​A Targeted Assault Under the Cover of Darkness

​According to eyewitnesses and local reports, the assailants arrived in the village firing sporadically into the air to disorient residents. The sound of gunfire initially led many to believe that security personnel were conducting a routine operation or responding to a nearby threat. However, the reality became clear when the gunmen forced their way into the Imam's compound.

​While the Chief Imam, Imam Abubakar Muhammad Digare, managed to escape the premises before the kidnappers could reach his private quarters, his family was not as fortunate. Initially, the gunmen rounded up three of the Imam's wives. In a confusing turn of events, two of the wives were later released, but the attackers fled with one wife, the Imam's son, and two of his nieces. The swift and coordinated nature of the attack has led local authorities to believe it was a premeditated operation.

​Community Reactions and Security Response

​The Councillor representing Digare Ward, Hon. Buba Jauro, confirmed the incident to the press, detailing the panic that gripped the village. "People were advised to rush indoors for safety as soon as the shooting started," Jauro explained. He noted that despite the presence of security operatives in the general vicinity of Alkaleri, the kidnappers were able to carry out the abduction and retreat into the surrounding bushes before a counter-operation could be launched.

​The Bauchi State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Nafiu Abubakar, has officially confirmed the kidnapping. The police stated that they received a distress report on February 15 and have since deployed tactical teams to comb the forest areas in an effort to rescue the victims. As of Monday morning, the abductors have reportedly not made any contact with the family to demand a ransom, leaving the community in a tense wait for news.

​The Growing Threat to Clerics and Religious Leaders

​This incident is not an isolated case of religious figures being targeted in the region. Only weeks prior, a similar attack in the Toro Local Government Area saw the killing of a JIBWIS discipline officer. These recurring attacks on spiritual leaders suggest a disturbing trend where high-profile community figures are targeted to maximize psychological impact and potentially secure higher ransoms.

​The Alkaleri axis, known for its difficult terrain and proximity to the Yankari Game Reserve, has long been a flashpoint for banditry. Local leaders are now calling on the state government and federal security agencies to establish a more permanent and proactive security presence in Digare and surrounding wards to deter future raids.