Bandits k!ll lawmaker, director over monthly payments to rival terr0r group

 

Bandits kill lawmaker, director over monthly payments to rival terror group

Bandits have reportedly killed a local government lawmaker and councillor representing Jangebe Ward, Habibu Jangebe, and the Director of Planning in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Jamilu Sani, in Zamfara State.

The two local government officials were allegedly targeted over claims that they were involved in the delivery of funds to the Lakurawa group.

A resident of Talata Mafara, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, confirmed the identities of the victims and alleged that they had been acting on behalf of the local government in an arrangement aimed at preventing attacks on communities in the area.

According to the source, the officials were responsible for conveying monthly payments to the Lakurawa group, a development that reportedly angered bandits operating within the locality.

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 alleged that the bandits had also issued threats against the Chairman of Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Yahaya Yari, accusing him of excluding them from what was described as a “welfare package” allegedly enjoyed by the Lakurawa group.

The victims were said to have been abducted on May 18, 2026, while travelling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters in preparation for the recent pilgrimage exercise.

Reacting to the development, Yari described the killings as both tragic and unfortunate but rejected claims that the local government had been providing support to the Lakurawa group.

He maintained that the allegations were unfounded and insisted that the council had no dealings with any terrorist organisation.

According to him, both the Lakurawa group and bandits operating in the area are terrorist elements.

“My local government will never give money to either of them,” he said.

Yari also noted that the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal had adopted a firm stance against negotiating with criminal groups.

The chairman explained that the only security-related support provided by the council was directed to members of the Civilian Joint Task Force from Borno State, who are assisting security agencies in tackling insecurity 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.”

The council chairman further alleged that individuals spreading claims that the local government was financing Lakurawa terrorists were working as informants for bandits.

“If I know them, I will order their arrest so they can explain how they got such information,” he added.

(PUNCH)