Gunmen have killed Hon. Godwin Vonga, former councillor for Nasarawa Ward in Langtang South LGA and Magaji of Timshat, on the Timshat-Mabudi road.
Vonga was ambushed and shot Sunday night, June 1, 2026, while returning to Timshat after dropping his children in Mabudi for school resumption.
Community sources told Vanguard the former councillor had travelled to Mabudi to drop off his children who spent the holiday at home. He was attacked on his way back.
Resident Nanbol Pirfa said Timshat and neighbouring communities were thrown into mourning: “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.”
—LG chairman condemns killing, warns criminals—
Langtang South LG Chairman Hon. Nanfa Alhassan Nbin described the murder as “barbaric, unfortunate and unacceptable.”
In a statement by his spokesperson Butko Bako Iliya, Nbin expressed shock over the death of the former councillor and traditional title holder.
He sympathised with the family, Timshat people and all of Langtang South, praying for the repose of Vonga’s soul.
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The chairman vowed perpetrators would be brought to justice and warned criminal elements to desist “or face the full weight of the law.”
He also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies with useful information.
Motive remains unclear, but some residents suspect criminal gangs operating along the route.
The killing adds to Plateau’s security concerns, coming as gunmen killed 7 and injured 10 in another Plateau community, per latest updates.
