The Gombe State Police Command has rescued a cleric who was allegedly held captive by a group of youths in Birin Fulani community, located in Nafada Local Government Area of the state.
The cleric, identified as Abubakar Mahmoud Puma, 58, an indigene of Akko Local Government Area, was reportedly locked inside a house by youths suspected to be members of the Darika sect.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.
Abdullahi explained that the incident was reported to the police in the early hours of Saturday, March 15, 2026, following a disturbance in the community.
According to him, the Divisional Police Officer swiftly mobilised a team of officers to the area to restore calm and assess the situation.
He stated that upon arrival, the officers discovered that the cleric had been confined by some aggrieved youths who accused him of making offensive and derogatory remarks about their leaders.
The police spokesman further revealed that the cleric had earlier been deployed to Birin Fulani by the national headquarters of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa Iqamatus Sunnah in Jos to lead the 2026 Ramadan Tafsir in the community.
He added that the DPO engaged the youths in discussions, which eventually resulted in the cleric’s safe release.
“The Divisional Police Officer engaged the youths in dialogue and they later cooperated with the police. The cleric was rescued unhurt, no casualty was recorded and peace has been restored in the area,” Abdullahi said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Ahmed Chuso, has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident.
The police spokesperson said the commissioner directed that anyone found responsible would face appropriate legal action.
The command also cautioned residents against circulating unverified information capable of causing panic or tension in the state.
It reassured residents of Birin Fulani and the wider Gombe community that the situation had been fully brought under control and urged members of the public to resolve grievances through lawful means rather than actions that could disrupt public order.
