Former Secretary to the Benue State Government, David Salifu, has died after sustaining gunshot injuries during an attack by suspected bandits along the Wukari-Makurdi road.

Salifu, who served as Secretary to the State Government during the administration of former Governor Gabriel Suswam, was also a lecturer at the Federal University, Wukari, in Taraba State.

Reports indicate he was travelling from Wukari to Makurdi on Thursday when he encountered armed men who shot him. The African Democratic Congress' Benue South Senatorial candidate, David Olofu, confirmed that Salifu died in the early hours of Friday at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, describing the deceased as a close associate and member of his campaign council.