A councillor representing Jangebe Ward, Habibu Jangebe, and the Director of Planning of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Alhaji Jamilu Sani, in Zamfara State, have been killed by bandits over alleged alignment with Lakurawa terrorists.
The two officials were accused of allegedly paying the Lakurawa group on a monthly basis. Consequently, they were attacked by bandits, leading to their deaths.
According to a source, both officials were used by the local government to deliver money to Lakurawa terrorists as part of an arrangement aimed at preventing attacks on communities in the area.
The source explained that a certain amount of money was allegedly given to the Lakurawa group monthly by the Talata-Mafara Local Government without extending similar gestures to the bandits operating in the area.
As a result, the bandits abducted the two officials 10 days ago and later killed them to express their anger.
The source further claimed: “The bandits had threatened to kill the chairman of the local government, Yahaya Yari, for allegedly excluding them from the welfare package being enjoyed by the Lakurawa group.”
While travelling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters to prepare for the last pilgrimage exercise, the victims were reportedly abducted by bandits on May 18, 2026.
Reacting to the incident, the chairman described the killing of the two officials as tragic and unfortunate and dismissed allegations that the victims were killed because the council was favouring Lakurawa terrorists.
He said the claim was baseless and unfounded, insisting that the local government would never negotiate with terrorists, regardless of their identity.
Yari stated that only the Civilian Joint Task Force from Borno State, which is assisting security agencies in combating banditry in the area, receives assistance from the local government
