Benue mourns ex-SSG killed by suspected bandits

The Benue State Government has mourned a former Secretary to the State Government, Prof. David Salifu, who died after sustaining gunshot injuries in an attack by suspected bandits along the Wukari-Makurdi road.

Salifu was reportedly attacked on Thursday on the outskirts of Wukari while travelling to Makurdi. He later died from his injuries in the early hours of Friday.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, described the late Salifu as a dedicated public servant whose contributions to governance and education left a lasting impact on the state.

The statement, issued on behalf of Governor Hyacinth Alia, said Salifu served the state with “uncommon diligence, integrity and intellectual distinction.”

It added that his 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 in part.

The government prayed for God to grant the family the strength to bear the loss and repose the soul of the deceased.