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David Salifu, a former Secretary to the Benue State Government, died from gunshot wounds sustained during an attack by suspected bandits along the Wukari-Zaki Biam road in Taraba State, officials said.
The attack occurred Thursday while Salifu was travelling from Wukari to Makurdi, according to David Olofu, a close associate of the deceased.
Olofu said the vehicle was stopped at the outskirts of Wukari, and the victim was shot.
Salifu, who also lectured at the Federal University, Wukari, was initially treated at a hospital in Wukari before being transferred to Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, where he died early Friday.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia‘s spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, said the attackers were suspected kidnappers.
“After he escaped with gunshot wounds, he was rushed to Benue for treatment in the hospital, where he later gave up the ghost,” Kula said.
Tributes described Salifu as an accomplished scholar and public servant who served under former Governor Gabriel Suswam.
Suswam described him as “a hardworking gentleman and public servant” who made significant contributions to his administration.
In a statement by his media aide, Bede Bartholomew, Mr Suswam expressed sympathy to the deceased’s family.
“The former governor expresses his heartfelt sympathy to the family at this trying moment of their grief. He described the late Salifu as a hardworking gentleman and public servant who contributed immensely to the success of his administration as governor of Benue State,” the statement said.
