A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Zamfara State, Umar Moriki, has been reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be armed bandits.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning along the Gusau–Tsafe highway near Fegi village in Tsafe Local Government Area while Moriki was travelling from Gusau to Kaduna.
The state chapter of the APC, led by Tukur Danfulani, confirmed the death, calling it “a tragic loss for both the party and the state.”
According to a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the party in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris, the late APC stalwart had just participated in the party’s stakeholders’ meeting hosted by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
Moriki held several prominent political roles during his career, including Vice Chairman of Zurmi Local Government Area, Director-General of a state agency, and Special Adviser on Rural Electrification. He also contested for the Zurmi/Shinkafi House of Representatives seat in the 2023 elections.
He died at the age of 62 and is survived by three wives and several children.
The Zamfara APC described him as “a committed party leader and community advocate who dedicated his life to public service and humanitarian work.”
A month ago, similar incident occurred whereby five policemen and three Community Protection Guards were killed by bandits in Zamfara State.
Musa who spoke with Newsmen said, “The victims were approaching Gidan-Giye village, a few kilometres away from Tsafe town, the headquarters of Tsafe Local Government, when suddenly, the bandits came out of their hiding place, and opened fire on their vehicle.”
According to Musa, all the securitymen who were in the vehicle were killed instantly.
He stressed that the bandits might have received information from their informants on the movement of the affected securitymen who were said to have come from Government House, Gusau, on a special duty.
He said, “The affected securitymen were working at the Government House, Gusau and were sent to give protection to travellers along the Gusau-Funtuwa road due to persistent attacks by bandits on a daily basis.
“Unfortunately, a few minutes after they left Tsafe town, we heard gunshots very close to Gidan-Giye village as the bandits who were hiding beside the road opened fire, killing all of them instantly.
Within a twinkle of an eye, the bandits rode their motorcycles and ran into the forest, leaving the eight securitymen dead.”
Musa further explained that the deceased were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau.
Governor Dauda Lawal has since condoled the families of the affected securitymen.
On his Facebook page, Lawal expressed disgust over the incident and condoled the families of the affected officers.
He prayed to Allah to forgive the deceased’s offences and give their families to bear the irreparable loss.
He said, “To Allah we belong and to him we shall return”.
“I just received sad news of the death of eight securitymen, comprising policemen and the Community Protection Guards, who were ambushed and killed by bandits along Gusau-Funtuwa road.
