Armed bandits in northwestern Nigeria have killed a local councilor and a senior local government official in Zamfara State, officials and residents said, amid allegations of links to rival armed groups.
The victims, identified as Habibu Jangebe, a councilor representing Jangebe Ward, and Alhaji Jamilu Sani, director of planning for Talata-Mafara Local Government Area, were abducted and later killed after being accused of supporting a rival armed faction, according to local sources.
A resident of Talata-Mafara, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the killings were connected to accusations that local officials were paying members of the Lakurawa armed group on a monthly basis to prevent attacks in the area.
The source said the alleged arrangement excluded other armed groups operating in the region, provoking retaliation.
“A certain amount of money is allegedly given to the Lakurawa terrorists on a monthly basis by the local government,” the source said. “As a result, the bandits abducted the two officials 10 days ago and later killed them.”
The officials were reportedly abducted on May 18, 2026, while traveling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters.
Local government chairman Yahaya Yari confirmed the deaths, describing them as tragic, but rejected claims that the council had any dealings with armed groups.
He said the allegations of payments to Lakurawa fighters were false and insisted the government does not negotiate with or fund any armed group.
“My local government will never give money to either of them,” Yari said, referring to both bandits and the Lakurawa group.
He added that the state government under Governor Dauda Lawal had maintained a policy against negotiating with armed groups.
Yari said the local government only supports members of a Civilian Joint Task Force from Borno State who assist security forces in combating banditry.
He also accused those circulating claims of payments to armed groups of spreading misinformation and said security agencies were aware of ongoing local security arrangements.
Authorities in Zamfara State have faced persistent attacks by armed gangs despite ongoing military operations aimed at curbing banditry in the region.
