15 November 2025
A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, Umar Moriki, has been shot dead by suspected armed bandits in a brazen attack on a major highway.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning along the Gusau–Tsafe highway, near Fegi village in Tsafe Local Government Area. Moriki was travelling from Gusau to Kaduna when gunmen ambushed his vehicle and opened fire, killing him on the spot.
The Zamfara State chapter of the APC, led by Chairman Tukur Danfulani, confirmed the killing in a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris. Describing the event as a “tragic loss” to both the party and the state, the APC expressed profound grief over the death of the dedicated stalwart.
“Alhaji Umar Moriki was a committed party leader whose contributions to the growth of the APC in Zamfara cannot be overstated,” the statement read. “His untimely demise is a blow not only to our ranks but to the broader quest for peace and development in our troubled state.”
The attack comes mere hours after Moriki attended a key stakeholders’ meeting organised by Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence. The gathering, held in Gusau, focused on strategies to combat banditry and insecurity in the North-West region—a persistent scourge that has claimed countless lives and disrupted daily life in Zamfara and neighbouring states.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the killing, and police have launched an investigation. As of this evening, no arrests have been reported, though additional security personnel have been deployed to the highway.
Moriki’s death marks another grim chapter in Zamfara’s ongoing battle against banditry. The state, rich in gold but plagued by violence, has seen a surge in attacks on politicians, traditional rulers, and civilians in recent months. Rights groups have repeatedly called for federal intervention to stem the tide of killings and kidnappings.
This story is developing, and further details will be provided as they emerge.
