Soldiers kill suspected killer of former Benue SSG David Salifu

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have neutralised a suspected armed bandit believed to have been involved in the attack that claimed the life of former Benue State Secretary to the Government (SSG), David Salifu.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Ahmad Zubairu. He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of suspected kidnappers around Jotar village near the Quarantine Checkpoint.

According to the statement, troops stationed at Kyado were deployed to the area on July 2 to stop the criminal group from carrying out its planned operation.

“On arrival at the scene, troops engaged the armed suspects in a fierce gun battle, neutralising one of the terrorists while others fled with suspected gunshot wounds,” he said.

The military said troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines from the scene after the exchange of gunfire.

OPWS added that preliminary investigations suggest the slain suspect was a member of the gang responsible for the attack on commuters along the Wukari–Makurdi highway, during which David Salifu sustained the gunshot wounds that later led to his death.

Salifu, who served as Secretary to the Benue State Government under former Governor Gabriel Suswam and was also a lecturer at the Federal University, Wukari, died in the early hours of July 3 at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi.

He was reportedly travelling from Wukari to Makurdi on July 2 when suspected kidnappers attacked motorists along the Wukari–Zaki Biam road, a major route linking Taraba and Benue states.

A close associate of the late former SSG and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Benue South Senatorial District, David Olofu, had earlier revealed that the attackers stopped Salifu’s vehicle, ordered him out before opening fire on him.

The Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, also confirmed that the former SSG was shot by suspected kidnappers after attempting to escape being abducted.

Salifu was first taken to a hospital in Wukari before he was transferred to BSUTH in Makurdi, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

His passing attracted tributes from Governor Hyacinth Alia, former Governor Gabriel Suswam and several political leaders, who described him as a committed public servant and respected academic.

Reacting to the latest operation, the Force Commander of OPWS, Moses Gara, commended the troops for their dedication and professionalism.

He urged them to maintain sustained offensive operations and intensify efforts against criminal groups operating across Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states.

Mr. Gara also called on residents to continue supporting security agencies with prompt and credible intelligence, assuring them that all information received would be handled confidentially and acted upon without delay.