By Peter Omopo
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has condoled with the family of Alhaji Umar S/Fada Moriki, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain who was killed by unknown gunmen in the early hours of Friday while travelling to Kaduna.
Matawalle was among the earliest sympathisers to attend the funeral prayer held at the Federal Low-Cost Tudun Wada Juma’at Mosque in Gusau. The prayer was led by Imam Alkali Abdullahi Yakubu and attended by top APC officials, community leaders, clerics, and sympathisers from across the state.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the family home, the minister described the late Umar as a selfless and honest individual whose philanthropic activities had positively impacted many, especially his neighbours and relatives.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased Jannatu Firdaus and give the family the strength to bear the loss. As part of his support, Matawalle donated N10 million, 50 bags of rice, 25 bags of maize, and 25 bags of millet, assuring the family of sustained care in the difficult period.
According to a statement issued by the Zamfara State APC Spokesperson, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the minister cancelled all his engagements to attend the funeral and personally travelled from his hometown of Maradun to commiserate with the bereaved family.
Responding on behalf of the family, Ambassador Abubakar Hussaini Moriki expressed appreciation for Matawalle’s compassion and solidarity, describing his gesture as a source of comfort during their time of grief.
The funeral prayer was attended by the APC State Chairman, Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani; the State Secretary, Hon. Ibrahim Umar Dangaladima; former party chairman, Hon. Lawal M. Liman; party executives, former commissioners, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, and numerous supporters.
Alhaji Umar S/Fada Moriki has since been laid to rest at the Unguwar Gwaza Cemetery in Gusau in accordance with Islamic rites.
