Former Benue SSG Salifu Dies After Bandits’ Attack In Taraba

Former Secretary to the Benue State Government (SSG), Prof. David Salifu, has died after sustaining gunshot injuries in an attack by suspected bandits along the outskirts of Wukari in Taraba State.

Salifu, a lecturer at the Federal University Wukari, was reportedly travelling to Makurdi on Thursday when his vehicle was ambushed by armed men along the Wukari axis.

A security source told LEADERSHIP that the attackers intercepted his vehicle and allegedly ordered him to alight and accompany them on a motorcycle to their camp.

According to the source, Salifu was shot after questioning the attackers’ directive.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Benue South Senatorial candidate, David Olofu, who described himself as 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, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Edet Udeme, said the command had yet to receive an official report of the incident.

“I have not received the report,” she said.

The attack comes amid growing security concerns along major routes in Taraba State.

The Federal University Wukari had recently issued a security advisory urging students and members of staff to avoid travelling on the Wukari–Zaki Biam and Wukari–Takum roads until further notice due to security threats.

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.