Zamfara Councillor, director killed over alleged links to Lakurawa group

A councillor representing Jangebe Ward, Habibu Jangebe, and the Director of Planning of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Alhaji Jamilu Sani, have been killed by bandits in Zamfara State over allegations that they were connected to the Lakurawa group.

The two officials were reportedly accused of making regular payments to members of the Lakurawa group. Following the allegations, they were attacked by bandits and killed.

A source familiar with the incident said the officials had allegedly been assigned by the local government to deliver funds to the Lakurawa group as part of efforts to prevent attacks on communities within the area.

The source claimed the arrangement was intended to maintain peace and protect residents from violence, but it later became a source of suspicion that reportedly led to the deadly attack on the two officials.

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.

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