Former Secretary to the Benue State Government, David Salifu, has died following gunshot injuries sustained during an attack by suspected bandits along the Wukari–Makurdi road.
Salifu, who served under former Governor Gabriel Suswam, was also a lecturer at the Federal University, Wukari, in Taraba State.
According to sources, the incident occurred on Thursday while he was traveling from Wukari to Makurdi. Armed assailants reportedly intercepted his vehicle, ordered him to step down, and attempted to force him onto a motorcycle.
He was allegedly shot after resisting their instructions.
A close associate of the deceased and the African Democratic Congress’ Benue South senatorial candidate, David Olofu, confirmed the development in a telephone interview.
He disclosed that Salifu passed away in the early hours of Friday at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.
“He was a member of my campaign council and a trusted confidant. I was informed that he ran into hoodlums at the outskirts of Wukari while heading to Benue.
They stopped his car and asked him to come down, but he was shot shortly after,” Olofu said.
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He further explained that the victim was initially taken to a hospital in Wukari. Due to the severity of his injuries, arrangements were made to transfer him to Abuja with the support of the university authorities, who provided an ambulance and medical team.
However, for reasons yet to be clarified, Salifu was eventually taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, where he later died.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain an official response from the Taraba State Police Command were unsuccessful.
The tragic incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity and the persistent threat of banditry along major highways in the region.
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