Gunmen kill bursar of National Open University in Zamfara

The Bursar of the National Open University of Nigeria, Nasiru Marafa, has been shot dead in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State.

The university shared this news in an official notice signed by its Registrar and Secretary to Council, Oladipo Ajayi, on Sunday.

Ajayi said that Marafa was shot while coming back from Gusau. The university did not give more details about what happened.

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” the university said while announcing the bursar's death.

The statement read, “The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Senate, Staff and Students of the National Open University of Nigeria, regrets to announce the sudden and untimely passing of the University Bursar, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa, which occurred today, Sunday, 6th September 2026.”

The university remembered Marafa as a “dedicated and committed staff member” who served the school with excellence. He held several important positions during his time.

Marafa became Bursar of NOUN in September 2022. He took on the role with “a strong sense of duty and commitment to the advancement of the University.”

The statement continued, “The entire University community mourns the passing of a distinguished colleague, dedicated administrator and valued member of the NOUN family.”

The institution sent its condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and everyone mourning his death.

The university said more information about the burial arrangements would come after the family shares the details.

They prayed that Allah would forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and give strength to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire university community to cope with the loss.

Attempts to reach the Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Yazid, were unsuccessful. His phone was unreachable when this report was being filed.