How Former Benue SSG Was Shot Dead By Bandit

A former Secretary to the Benue State Government, David Salifu, has died from gunshot injuries sustained during a suspected bandit attack along the Wukari-Zaki Biam road in Taraba State.

Salifu, who served under former Governor Gabriel Suswam, was also a lecturer at the Federal University, Wukari.

He died in the early hours of Friday at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

A close associate of the deceased and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Benue South Senatorial District, David Olofu, who spoke with Premium Times, said Salifu was attacked on Thursday while travelling from Wukari to Makurdi.

Olofu said, “He left Wukari and was coming to Benue when he encountered hoodlums at the outskirts of Wukari.

“They stopped his car and asked him to come down, but the bandits thereafter shot him.”

Olofu said Salifu was first taken to a hospital in Wukari before arrangements were made to transfer him to Abuja.

He said, “He was taken to the teaching hospital in Wukari, but due to the seriousness of the injury, we spoke to the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Wukari, who released an ambulance to take him to Abuja with a team of doctors.

“But somehow, he was taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, where he died in the early hours of today.”

Confirming the incident, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, said Salifu was shot by suspected kidnappers after they attempted to abduct him.

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

“After he escaped with gunshot wounds, he was rushed to Benue for treatment in the hospital, where he later gave up the ghost.”

In a condolence message, the incumbent Secretary to the Benue State Government, Deborah Serumun, described Salifu as “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 exemplary leadership,” she said.

“His passing is not only a great loss to his immediate family but also to Benue State, the academic community and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.”