Bandits Kill Zamfara Councillor, Council Planning Director Over Alleged Links to Rival Group
A councillor representing Jangebe Ward in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Habibu Jangebe, and the council’s Director of Planning, Alhaji Jamilu Sani, have been killed by bandits following allegations that they maintained ties with the Lakurawa terrorist group.
According to local sources, the two officials were accused of facilitating monthly payments to the Lakurawa group as part of an arrangement intended to prevent attacks on communities within the area.
A source familiar with the matter alleged that the Talata-Mafara Local Government had been providing financial support to Lakurawa operatives through the two officials, while bandit groups operating in the same area were excluded from the arrangement.
The source claimed that the perceived imbalance angered the bandits, who subsequently abducted the officials and later killed them.
“The bandits believed the local government was supporting the Lakurawa group while ignoring them,” the source said. “They abducted the two officials and eventually killed them in retaliation.”
The source further alleged that the bandits had also threatened the chairman of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Yahaya Yari, accusing him of excluding them from benefits allegedly being extended to the Lakurawa group.
The victims were reportedly abducted on May 18, 2026, while travelling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters to make preparations for the final phase of this year’s pilgrimage exercise.
Reacting to the incident, Yari described the killings as tragic and unfortunate, while strongly rejecting claims that the local government had any arrangement with Lakurawa terrorists.
He dismissed the allegations as false and unfounded, insisting that the council would never negotiate with or provide support to any terrorist group.
According to the chairman, the only group receiving assistance from the local government is the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) from Borno State, which has been supporting security agencies in ongoing efforts to combat banditry and restore peace in the area.
The killings highlight the persistent security challenges facing communities in Zamfara State, where banditry, kidnappings and terrorist activities continue to threaten lives and livelihoods despite ongoing military operations.
Source: Daily Post