Bandits kill Zamfara councilor, LG director over alleged terrorist payments

‎GUSAU, Zamfara State — Bandits have killed a councilor and a senior local government official in Zamfara State over allegations that they were involved in payments to members of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
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‎The victims, identified as Habibu Jangebe, a councilor representing Jangebe Ward, and Alhaji Jamilu Sani, Director of Planning in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area, were reportedly abducted and later murdered by bandits.
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‎According to local sources, the two officials were allegedly responsible for delivering monthly payments to Lakurawa militants as part of efforts to prevent attacks on communities within the area.
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‎The arrangement, sources claimed, excluded rival bandit groups operating in the region.
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‎A resident of Talata-Mafara, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, alleged that the bandits viewed the payments as preferential treatment for the Lakurawa group.
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‎“The bandits were angry because they believed the local government was supporting Lakurawa while ignoring them,” the source said.
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‎ “They abducted the officials and later killed them.”
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‎The source further claimed that the bandits had threatened the chairman of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Yahaya Yari, accusing him of denying them access to the same financial support allegedly provided to Lakurawa fighters.
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‎Reports indicate that the victims were kidnapped on May 18 while travelling from Jangebe to Talata-Mafara ahead of preparations for the Hajj pilgrimage exercise.
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‎Reacting to the incident, Yari described the killings as tragic and condemned the attack. He denied allegations that the local government was financing Lakurawa militants, insisting that the claims were false and unfounded.
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‎“We do not negotiate with terrorists, whether they are bandits or members of the Lakurawa group,” Yari said. “The Zamfara State Government has maintained a clear policy against negotiating with criminal elements.”
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‎The chairman 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 counter-banditry operations.
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‎He added that security agencies, including the Department of State Services, were aware of the arrangement and were working closely with local authorities to tackle insecurity in the area.
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