Ex-councillor ambushed, murdered in Plateau community

Hon. Godwin Vonga, a former councillor who represented Nasarawa Ward in the Langtang South Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, has been reportedly murdered.

He was ambushed and killed by yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Sunday night, May 31, 2026, along the Timshat-Mabudi road.

Vonga, who was also the Magaji of Timshat, was reportedly attacked while returning home after taking his children to Mabudi following the school break.

Sources in the community report that the deceased had travelled from Timshat to Mabudi to drop off his children, who had spent the holiday at home, before the attack occurred.

According to the sources, the former councillor was ambushed and killed by unknown assailants while making his way back to Timshat.

A resident of the community, Nanbol Pirfa, said the incident had thrown Timshat and neighbouring communities into mourning, describing the late Vonga as a respected leader and public servant.

“The entire community is in shock. He was well known and respected by many people.

“We pray that those responsible are identified and brought to justice,” Pirfa said.

Although the motive for the killing remains unclear, some residents suspect that the attackers may have been criminals operating along the route.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Langtang South Local Government Area, Hon. Nanfa Alhassan Nbin, has condemned the killing, describing it as barbaric, unfortunate and unacceptable.

The chairman gave the reaction in a statement signed by his spokesman, Butko Bako Iliya, expressing shock over the death of the former councillor and traditional title holder.

Nbin sympathised with the family of the deceased, the people of Timshat and the entire Langtang South community, praying for the repose of his soul and for God to grant his loved ones the strength to bear the loss.

The chairman vowed that perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice, warning criminal elements operating within the local government to desist from such acts or face the full weight of the law.

He also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could assist ongoing investigations.

This incident comes amid a broader pattern of fragile security and rural violence across several local government areas in Plateau State