Former Secretary to the Benue State Government during the administration of former Governor Gabriel Suswam, David Salifu, has died following gunshot injuries in an attack by suspected bandits along the Wukari-Makurdi road.
Penpushing reports that Salifu was travelling from Wukari to Makurdi on Thursday when he encountered armed men who stopped his vehicle, while the assailants reportedly ordered him to alight from his vehicle and mount a motorcycle but allegedly shot him after he challenged them.
The death of Salifu, who was also a lecturer at the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State was confirmed by a close associate and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Benue South senatorial candidate, David Olofu.
Penpushing further reports that the associate said Salifu died in the early hours of Friday at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, recalling that the deceased was a member of his campaign council
“He was a member of my campaign council and a confidant. I learnt that he (Salifu) 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’, 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 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 stated.
Penpushing also reports that as at the time of filing this report, the circumstances surrounding why Salifu was taken to Makurdi instead of Abuja could not be immediately ascertained, while efforts to get the reaction of the Taraba State Police Command were unsuccessful.
The Benue State Government has mourned death in a statement issued on Friday, describing Salifu as a dedicated public servant whose contributions to governance and education left a lasting impact on the state.
Penpushing reports that the Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, in the statement issued on behalf of Governor Hyacinth Alia, said Salifu served the state with uncommon diligence, integrity and intellectual distinction
The statement added that the deceased contributions to public administration, scholarship and human capital development earned him widespread respect and left an enduring legacy.
“On behalf of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Governor of Benue State, the Government and the good people of Benue State, the Secretary to the Government of the State, Dcns. Serumun Deborah Aber extends heartfelt condolences to the Salifu family over this painful loss. The Government of Benue State joins the family, friends, the academic community, and all who knew him in mourning this illustrious son of Benue’, the statement read.
Penpushing further reports the Benue State Government prayed for God to grant the family the strength to bear the loss and repose the soul of the deceased.
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