Bandits have reportedly killed a councillor and a local government director in Zamfara State over allegations that they were involved in facilitating payments to the Lakurawa terrorist group.
The victims, identified as Habibu Jangebe, who represented Jangebe Ward in the Talata-Mafara Local Government Legislative Council, and Alhaji Jamilu Sani, Director of Planning in the local government, were said to have been abducted before their eventual killing.
A resident of Talata-Mafara, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, told journalists that the two officials were allegedly accused by the bandits of maintaining links with the Lakurawa group.
According to the source, the victims were reportedly tasked with conveying funds to the Lakurawa militants as part of efforts aimed at preventing attacks on communities within the area.
The source further disclosed that both men were kidnapped on May 18, 2026, while travelling from Jangebe to Talata-Mafara town to make arrangements related to the recent pilgrimage exercise.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Yahaya Yari, described the killings as painful and unfortunate
However, he strongly denied claims that the council had been providing financial support to the Lakurawa group, insisting that the allegations were false and misleading.
Yari maintained that the local government had never entered into any form of negotiation or financial arrangement with terrorist groups.
“Both the bandits and the Lakurawa group are terrorists. My local government will never give money to either of them,” he said.
The chairman noted that the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal had maintained a firm stance against negotiating with criminal elements operating in the state.
He explained that the only security-related support provided by the local government was to members of the Civilian Joint Task Force from Borno State, who are assisting security agencies in ongoing operations against banditry.
“We have volunteers from Borno State helping security forces to combat banditry in our area. They are the people receiving support from the local government, not Lakurawa terrorists as falsely alleged,” he stated.
Yari added that security agencies, including the Department of State Services, were fully aware of the arrangement and were actively collaborating with local authorities to tackle insecurity.
According to him, the sustained offensive against criminal groups may have triggered retaliatory attacks on government officials and residents.
He also accused those spreading claims that the local government was financing terrorists of acting as informants for bandits.
“If those behind these rumours are identified, they should be made to explain the source of such information,” he added.
The killings have heightened concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Zamfara State, where communities continue to grapple with recurring attacks, kidnappings and violent reprisals by armed groups.