Former Benue State Secretary to the Government, David Salifu, has died after sustaining gunshot injuries during a suspected bandit attack along the Wukari-Makurdi road, bringing fresh attention to the persistent security challenges facing commuters in the region.

Salifu, who served under former Governor Gabriel Suswam, was also a lecturer at the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State.

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According to reports, the attack occurred on Thursday as Salifu travelled from Wukari to Makurdi. Suspected armed bandits reportedly intercepted his vehicle on the outskirts of Wukari and ordered him to leave the car and board a motorcycle.

Witness accounts indicate that Salifu was shot after challenging the attackers.

He was initially taken to a hospital in Wukari before medical personnel arranged his transfer for specialist treatment. Despite efforts to save his life, Salifu died in the early hours of Friday at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

A close associate of the deceased and the African Democratic Congress senatorial candidate for Benue South, David Olofu, confirmed the incident and expressed grief over the loss.

“He was a member of my campaign council and a confidant. I learnt that he left Wukari and was coming to Benue when he encountered hoodlums at the outskirts of Wukari,” Olofu said.

“They stopped his car and asked him to come down but the bandits thereafter shot him.”

Olofu disclosed that the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Wukari, authorised an ambulance and a medical team to evacuate Salifu after the attack.

According to him, the original plan was to transfer the former state official to Abuja for advanced treatment, but he was instead taken to Makurdi, where he later died.

The reason for the change in destination was not immediately known.

Salifu remained active in Benue politics after leaving office and was involved in political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His death has sparked fresh concern over insecurity along the Wukari-Makurdi corridor, where attacks on motorists and travellers have continued despite repeated security operations.