Armed bandits operating in Zamfara State have killed a councillor representing Jangebe Ward, Habibu Jangebe, and the Director of Planning of Talata-Mafara Local Government Area, Alhaji Jamilu Sani, following allegations that the victims were involved in monthly payments to a terrorist group identified as Lakurawa.
The two officials were abducted on May 18 while travelling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters reportedly for preparations ahead of the last pilgrimage exercise. Their bodies were later discovered 10 days after the abduction.
A local source, who spoke in confidence due to security concerns, alleged that the slain officials had been used to convey monthly payments to Lakurawa militants as part of a local arrangement aimed at reducing attacks on communities.
According to the source, the arrangement excluded other armed groups operating in the area, a situation said to have angered rival bandits who later targeted the victims.
“The bandits were furious that only one group was allegedly receiving payments. They abducted the two officials and later killed them,” the source claimed.
The source further alleged that the attackers had issued a warning to the local government chairman, threatening him over the perceived exclusion of other armed factions from the supposed “settlement” arrangement.
However, the Chairman of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Yahaya Yari, has dismissed the allegations linking the council to any form of negotiation or funding of terrorist groups.
Yari described the claims as false and misleading, insisting that the council has never and will never engage in any form of payment to armed groups, regardless of their identity.
“Our administration does not, and will never, give money to bandits or any terrorist organisation,” he said.
He explained that the only external security-related support being received in the area involves civilian volunteers assisting security agencies in ongoing counter-banditry operations.
“These are individuals assisting security operatives in fighting insecurity. We are not sponsoring terrorists as being alleged,” he added.
Yari also accused those spreading the allegations of acting as informants for criminal groups, warning that steps would be taken to identify and prosecute anyone fueling misinformation that could undermine security operations in the area.
He reaffirmed that despite repeated attacks, the local government remains committed to supporting security agencies and resisting attempts by armed groups to destabilise the area.
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