Former Benue SSG shot dead in suspected bandit attack

David Salifu, who once served as Secretary to the Benue State Government, has died from gunshot wounds he got during a suspected bandit attack on the Wukari-Zaki Biam road in Taraba State.

Mr Salifu worked under former Governor Gabriel Suswam and was a lecturer at the Federal University, Wukari. He passed away early Friday at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.

A close friend of Mr Salifu and the African Democratic Congress candidate for Benue South Senatorial District, David Olofu, said Mr Salifu was attacked on Thursday while traveling from Wukari to Makurdi.

"He left Wukari and was heading to Benue when he ran into hoodlums at the edge of Wukari," Mr Olofu told reporters on the phone.

"They stopped his car and told him to come down, but then they shot him." Mr Olofu mentioned that the former SSG was first taken to a hospital in Wukari before plans were made to move him to Abuja.

"He was taken to the teaching hospital in Wukari, but because of how serious his injury was, we contacted the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Wukari, who arranged an ambulance to take him to Abuja with a team of doctors," he said.

"But somehow, he ended up at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, where he died early today." The reason for the change in destination from Abuja to Makurdi is not clear.

The Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, confirmed the incident. He said Mr Salifu was shot by suspected kidnappers who tried to abduct him.

"He was a lecturer at the Federal University, Wukari. He got shot on the Wukari-Zaki Biam road in Taraba State by people who wanted to kidnap him," Mr Kula said.

"After he escaped with gunshot wounds, he was rushed to Benue for treatment in the hospital, where he later died." In a message of condolence, the current Secretary to the Benue State Government, Deborah Serumun, called Mr Salifu "an exceptional public servant, an accomplished scholar and an astute administrator."

"Beyond public service, Prof. Salifu was a man of learning who inspired generations through scholarship, mentorship and good leadership," she said.

"His passing is a big loss not only to his family but also to Benue State, the academic community and all who had the chance to know and work with him." Former Governor Gabriel Suswam also expressed his sorrow over Mr Salifu's death, calling him "a hardworking gentleman and public servant" who impacted his administration significantly.

In a statement from his media assistant, Bede Bartholomew, Mr Suswam shared his condolences to the family of the late Salifu.

"The former governor sends his heartfelt sympathy to the family during this difficult time. He described the late Salifu as a hardworking gentleman and public servant who played a big part in the success of his administration as governor of Benue State," the statement said.

Mr Suswam prayed for the peace of Mr Salifu’s soul and asked God to give his family "the strength to handle this great loss." Efforts to get comments from the Taraba State Police Command have not been successful at the time of this report.