The Ochetoha K'Idoma Forum has mourned David Onu Salifu, the former Benue State secretary to the government, as a profound loss to the Idoma nation and Nigeria. The socio-cultural body described his death as devastating for the state and the country.
Salifu died on Thursday, July 2, 2026, after armed attackers ambushed him on the Wukari–Makurdi highway while he travelled to his hometown for his uncle's burial. Gunmen dragged him from his vehicle, shot him at close range and left him critically injured.
He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, but died in the early hours of Friday from his wounds. The forum called the circumstances surrounding his death heartbreaking and wholly unacceptable.
The organisation demanded that security agencies arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attack. It warned that the relentless insecurity plaguing Nigerian highways and rural communities has become intolerable.
According to the forum, Salifu was a distinguished academic and seasoned administrator who devoted his career to public service. His life embodied humility, hard work, patriotism and commitment to humanity.
He rose from grassroots positions in local government administration to become one of Nigeria's most accomplished public administrators. His steady climb through the ranks reflected his determination to pursue excellence in governance.
The forum noted that Salifu served as Benue State's secretary to the government between 2011 and 2015 under former Governor Gabriel Suswam. During his tenure, he earned widespread respect for combining intellectual rigour with sound administrative leadership.
Colleagues across political divides valued his practical grasp of governance and his ability to blend academic knowledge with real-world administration. He was recognised as one of the state's most successful public servants.
Beyond his government work, Salifu built a significant legacy in academia. At the time of his death, he held the rank of professor of public administration and had previously served as dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Federal University, Wukari.
In that role, he shaped the thinking of countless students and produced scholarly research on critical national concerns. His work examined intergovernmental relations, the federal character principle and solutions to Nigeria's recurring herder-farmer conflicts.
The forum noted that Salifu was uniquely skilled at connecting theoretical knowledge with practical application. He did not simply lecture on governance—he had lived it, implemented it and transferred his insights to future administrators.
Many valued his willingness to move between the classroom and government service, bringing lessons from each sphere to strengthen the other. Through this dual commitment, he shaped a generation of public leaders.
The forum said Salifu remained deeply rooted in his community and his people throughout his distinguished career. His loss represents a tragic blow to Idoma, Benue State and the nation.
