Tragedy: Gunmen Kill APC Chieftain

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By Reporter

Tragedy struck earlier today when gunmen suspected to be bandits killed a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, Umar Moriki.

He was shot dead along the Gusau–Tsafe highway, near Fegi village in the Tsafe Local Government Area, while traveling to Kaduna State.

The Zamfara State chapter of the APC confirmed the killing, describing it as a devastating loss to the party and the state.

In a statement issued by the party’s Zamfara State Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris, the APC said Moriki had just participated in a stakeholders’ meeting hosted by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

Idris noted that Moriki was a loyal member of the party who played significant roles in governance and political mobilisation.

“His death is a great loss to our party and to Zamfara State. Moriki was a dedicated party man who devoted his life to public service and humanitarian support,” the statement read.

Moriki, who held various political positions, including Vice Chairman of Zurmi Local Government Area, Director-General of a state agency, and Special Adviser on Rural Electrification, also contested the Zurmi/Shinkafi House of Representatives seat in the 2023 elections.

He died at age 62 and is survived by three wives and several children.

Moriki’s killing adds to the rising number of political figures, traditional rulers, and civilians targeted in Zamfara, deepening fears over worsening security and the strength of armed groups in the state.

In October, bandits also ambushed a patrol team along the Gusau–Funtua road in Tsafe Local Government Area, killing five police officers and three members of the Community Protection Guards near Gidan-Giye village.

Zamfara has long been the centre of banditry in northwestern Nigeria, with armed groups responsible for frequent killings, kidnappings, extortion, and village raids.

Despite repeated military operations and peace efforts, the violence continues, especially in rural areas and on major highways like the Gusau–Tsafe and Gusau–Funtua routes, where travellers are often ambushed by heavily armed gangs.