RismadarVoice Reporters, May 30, 2026
Armed bandits have killed a councillor representing Jangebe Ward, Habibu Jangebe, and the Director of Planning of Talata-Mafara Local Government Area, Alhaji Jamilu Sani, in Zamfara State.
The two officials were reportedly abducted on May 18, 2026, while travelling from Jangebe to Talata-Mafara ahead of preparations for the recent pilgrimage exercise.
A source from the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the victims were targeted by bandits over claims that the local government had been providing financial support to members of the Lakurawa group while excluding other armed groups operating in the area.
According to the source, the bandits accused the officials of serving as intermediaries in the alleged delivery of funds to the Lakurawa group and subsequently killed them after holding them captive for about 10 days.
The source further claimed that the bandits had threatened to target the chairman of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Yahaya Yari, over the alleged arrangement.
However, Yari dismissed the allegations, describing them as false and unfounded.
Reacting to the killings, the council chairman condemned the deaths of the two officials, describing the incident as tragic and unfortunate.
He denied claims that the local government was providing financial support to the Lakurawa group, insisting that the council does not negotiate with any terrorist organisation.
“Both the bandits and the Lakurawa group are terrorists. My local government will never give money to either of them,” Yari said.
He reiterated the Zamfara State Government’s policy of non-negotiation with criminal groups, noting that Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration had consistently maintained that position.
The chairman explained that the only security-related support provided by the local government was to members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) from Borno State who are assisting security agencies in combating banditry in the area.
“We have people from Borno State who are in the local government to assist in the fight against banditry. They are the people we support, not the Lakurawa terrorists as being claimed by mischief makers,” he said.
Yari added that security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), were aware of the arrangement and were working to tackle insecurity in the area.
He also accused those spreading the allegations of acting as informants for bandits, warning that such claims undermine efforts to restore security in the local government.
The killings highlight the persistent security challenges facing communities in Zamfara State, where bandit attacks, kidnappings and clashes involving armed groups continue despite ongoing security operations.
