Bandits kill Zamfara councilor and local government director over alleged ties to Lakurawa.

A councilor from Jangebe Ward, Habibu Jangebe, and the Director of Planning for Talata-Mafara Local Government, Alhaji Jamilu Sani, were killed by bandits in Zamfara State on allegations of supporting the Lakurawa terrorist group.

Both officials were accused of paying the Lakurawa group a monthly stipend. According to a source, the local government had instructed them to deliver funds to the group as part of an arrangement intended to prevent attacks on nearby communities.

The source added that the Talata-Mafara Local Government allegedly supplied money to the Lakurawa group each month but did not provide similar support to the bandits operating in the area. As a result, the bandits abducted the two officials ten days ago and later killed them to express their anger.

The source further claimed that the bandits had threatened to kill the local government chairman, Yahaya Yari, for allegedly excluding them from the welfare package enjoyed by the Lakurawa group.

While traveling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters to prepare for a pilgrimage exercise, the victims were reportedly abducted by bandits on May 18, 2026.

In response, Chairman Yari described the killings as tragic and unfortunate, dismissing allegations that the council had favored Lakurawa terrorists. He said the claim was baseless and that the local government would never negotiate with terrorists, regardless of their identity.

Yari also noted 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.