Bandits in Zamfara State have reportedly killed a councilor representing Jangebe Ward, Habibu Jangebe and the Director of Planning of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Alhaji Jamilu Sani, over alleged alignment with Lakurawa terrorists.

The two officials were reportedly murdered by bandits for allegedly paying the Lakurawa sect on a monthly basis.

An indigene of the local government who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity for security reasons, identified the victims.

The source told The PUNCH that the two officials were allegedly used by the local government to deliver money to Lakurawa terrorists as part of an arrangement to prevent attacks on communities in the area.

He said: “A certain amount of money is allegedly given to the Lakurawa terrorists on a monthly basis by the Talata-Mafara Local Government, but such gestures are not extended 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 that 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 victims were reportedly abducted on May 18, 2026, while travelling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters to prepare for the last pilgrimage exercise.

Reacting to the incident, Yari described the killing of the two officials as tragic and unfortunate.

However, he dismissed allegations that the victims were killed because the council was favouring Lakurawa terrorists.

He described the claims as baseless and unfounded, stressing that the local government would never negotiate with terrorists, regardless of their identity.

He stated that both the bandits and the Lakurawa group were terrorists, adding, “My local government will never give money to either of them.”

The chairman maintained that the Zamfara State Government under Governor Dauda Lawal, had made it clear that there would be no negotiation with terrorists.

Yari explained that the only group receiving assistance from the local government was the Civilian Joint Task Force from Borno State, which was 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,” he said.

“They are the people we support, not Lakurawa terrorists as being claimed by mischief makers.

“The DSS and other security agencies are aware of this arrangement, and they are doing their best in fighting banditry.

“This is why the bandits are unhappy and have continued attacking government officials and innocent residents in an attempt to scare us, but we will never relent in our efforts to get rid of them.”

Yari also described those spreading rumours that the local government was funding Lakurawa terrorists as informants for bandits.

“If I know them, I will order their arrest so they can explain how they got such information,” he added. (Saturday PUNCH, but headline rejigged)