By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Armed bandits on Saturday shot dead Hon. Umaru Moriki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at Fegin Baza village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Prime gossip gathered that about 30 armed bandits ambushed Moriki while he was traveling to Kaduna State, opening fire on his vehicle and killing him instantly.
Following the attack, the bandits reportedly abducted 64 villagers from Fegin Baza and took them to an unknown location.
Hon. Moriki, a former House of Representatives candidate for the Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency, held the traditional title of Sarkin Fada of Moriki.
Confirming the incident, his elder son, Abubakar Umar Moriki, a student at Bayero University, Kano, said his father tried to evade the attackers but was fatally shot.
“My late father attempted a u-turn upon noticing the bandits, but he was shot and died on the spot. His body has been recovered and buried according to Islamic rites,” Abubakar said.
The funeral prayer was held at the Federal Low-cost Tudun Wada Juma’at Mosque in Gusau and led by Imam Alkali Abdullahi Yakubu.
The Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Mohammed Matawalle, was among the first to attend the funeral, consoling the family over the loss.
Condoling the family, Matawalle described Moriki’s death as a monumental loss to Zamfara State and the nation, noting his philanthropic activities and integrity in both politics and business.
The minister also donated N10 million, along with 50 bags of rice, 25 bags of maize, and 25 bags of millet to support the family, pledging to continue assisting them.
Responding on behalf of the family, Ambassador Abubakar Hussaini Moriki expressed gratitude to the minister, acknowledging his personal involvement and travel from Maradun to attend the funeral and offer condolences.