A councillor representing Jangebe Ward in Zamfara State, Habibu Jangebe, and the Director of Planning of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Jamilu Sani, have been killed by bandits.
The two officials were reportedly killed over allegations that they were involved in arrangements with the Lakurawa terrorists.
They were said to have been abducted on May 18, 2026, while travelling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters ahead of the last pilgrimage exercise.
A source who spoke with the Daily Post alleged that the two officials were used by the local government to deliver money to the Lakurawa group as part of an arrangement to prevent attacks on communities in the area.
According to the source, a certain amount was allegedly paid monthly to the Lakurawa group by the Talata-Mafara Local Government.
The source claimed the bandits became angry because they were allegedly excluded from the arrangement.
As a result, the bandits reportedly abducted the two officials about 10 days ago before killing them.
Bandits Allegedly Threaten LG Chairman
The source further alleged that the bandits had threatened to kill the Chairman of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Yahaya Yari.
“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,” the source claimed.
Reacting to the incident, Yari described the killing of the two officials as tragic and unfortunate.
He dismissed allegations that the victims were killed because the council was favouring the Lakurawa terrorists. The chairman said the claim was baseless and unfounded.
He insisted that the local government would never negotiate with terrorists, regardless of their identity.
Yari said only the Civilian Joint Task Force from Borno State, which is assisting security agencies in combating banditry in the area, receives support from the local government.