Suspected bandits have killed a councillor and a local government official in Zamfara State over allegations that they facilitated payments to the Lakurawa terrorist group.
The victims, identified as Habibu Jangebe, councillor representing Jangebe Ward in the Talata-Mafara Local Government Legislative Council, and Alhaji Jamilu Sani, Director of Planning in the council area, were reportedly abducted before being murdered by their captors.
A resident of Talata-Mafara, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, alleged that the two officials were accused by the bandits of maintaining ties with the Lakurawa group.
According to the source, the victims were allegedly involved in conveying funds to Lakurawa operatives as part of efforts to prevent attacks on communities in the area.
The source further disclosed that Jangebe and Sani were kidnapped on May 18, 2026, while travelling from Jangebe to Talata-Mafara town to make arrangements related to the ongoing pilgrimage exercise.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Yahaya Yari, described the killings as tragic and condemned the attack.
He, however, dismissed allegations that the council had been funding or negotiating with the Lakurawa group, insisting that such claims were baseless.
Yari maintained that the local government had never entered into any financial arrangement with any terrorist organisation.
“Both the bandits and the Lakurawa group are terrorists. My local government will never give money to either of them,” he said.
The council chairman stressed that the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal remained committed to its policy of non-negotiation with criminal groups operating across the state.
He explained that the only security-related support provided by the council was directed at members of the Civilian Joint Task Force from Borno State, who are assisting security agencies in combating banditry in parts of Zamfara.
According to him, security agencies, including the Department of State Services, are aware of the arrangement and work closely with local authorities in ongoing efforts to restore peace.
Yari suggested that the recent offensive against armed groups may have provoked retaliatory attacks against government officials and residents.
He also accused those spreading allegations that the council was sponsoring terrorists of acting as informants for criminal elements.
“If those behind these rumours are identified, they should be made to explain where they got such information,” he added.
The killings have heightened concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Zamfara, where communities continue to face persistent attacks, kidnappings and violent reprisals by armed groups despite ongoing security operations.
