Suspected bandits have shot former Secretary to the Benue State Government (SSG), Prof David Salifu, on the outskirts of Wukari, Taraba State on his way to Makurdi as he reportedly died after sustaining gunshot injuries.
A security source told our correspondent that the incident happened on Thursday in Wukari, Taraba State, while Prof Salifu, a lecturer with Federal University Wukari was travelling to Makurdi.
The source explained that Salifu’s vehicle was ambushed by the bandits who reportedly ordered him to come out and join them on motorcycle to their camp.
Salifu was shot when he questioned their order. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Benue South senatorial candidate, David Olofu, and a close associate of the deceased confirmed that Salifu died in the early hours of Friday at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
“They stopped his car and asked him to come down but the bandits thereafter shot him.
“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 University of Wukari who released an ambulance to bring him to Abuja with a team of doctors.
“But somehow, he was taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi where he died early hours of today,” Olofu said.
When contacted, Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, said she was yet to receive such a report. “I have not received the report,” she said.
The Federal University of Wukari had recently issued security advisory, warning students and staff to avoid using the Wukari – Zaki Biam and Wukari – Takum roads respectively until further notice.
According to the university management, the advisory was issued as a precautionary measure to safeguard the lives and well-being of members of the University community.
