Troops kill suspect linked to death of former Benue SSG

Troops from Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have killed a suspected bandit linked to the death of David Salifu, the former Secretary to the Benue State Government.

On Monday, Ahmad Zubairu, the Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, released a statement about the incident. The suspect was killed during an anti-kidnapping operation at Jotar village, near the Quarantine Checkpoint. This followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers.

Zubairu said troops stationed at Kyado quickly moved to the location on 2 July to stop the criminal gang from carrying out their plan.

“When they got there, troops engaged the armed suspects in a fierce gun battle. They neutralised one of the terrorists while others ran away with suspected gunshot wounds,” he explained.

He also mentioned that one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines were found at the scene.

The military believes that the deceased suspect was part of the gang responsible for attacking commuters along the Wukari-Makurdi road. It was during this attack that Mr Salifu suffered gunshot injuries that later led to his death.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Salifu, who served as Secretary to the Benue State Government under former Governor Gabriel Suswam, was also a lecturer at the Federal University, Wukari. He died in the early hours of 3 July at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi.

He was reportedly travelling from Wukari to Makurdi on 2 July when suspected kidnappers attacked motorists along the Wukari-Zaki Biam road. This road links Taraba and Benue states.

A close friend of Mr Salifu and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Benue South Senatorial District, David Olofu, told PREMIUM TIMES that the gunmen stopped Mr Salifu’s vehicle. They ordered him to come down before shooting him.

The Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, confirmed that the former SSG was shot by suspected kidnappers after he tried to escape abduction.

Mr Salifu was first taken to a hospital in Wukari before he was moved to BSUTH in Makurdi, where he later died from his injuries.

His death received condolences from Governor Hyacinth Alia, former Governor Gabriel Suswam, and many political leaders. They described him as a dedicated public servant and respected academic.

Moses Gara, the Force Commander of OPWS, praised the troops for their recent operation. He commended their resilience and professionalism.

He urged the personnel to keep up aggressive patrols and increase pressure on criminal groups in Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa states. Gara also asked residents to continue giving timely and credible information, assuring them that all useful tips would be treated confidentially and acted on quickly.