Peter Adejoh, a governorship candidate for the African Democratic Congress in Benue State, has denounced the assassination of Professor David Onu Salifu, the state’s former Secretary to the Government. Adejoh emphasized that the safety of all citizens remains compromised until banditry is eliminated.
Professor Salifu was allegedly murdered by suspected bandits on the Wukari-Makurdi highway. Adejoh noted that this event reflects the broader degradation of national security, stating that the incident serves as an urgent notification that violent criminal activities continue to threaten public safety.
Reflecting on Salifu’s career, Adejoh highlighted the late academic’s tenure as Secretary to the Benue State Government under Gabriel Suswam, where he was recognized for his honorable service. As a Professor of Public Administration and former Dean at the Federal University, Wukari, Salifu was a mentor dedicated to both scholarly pursuits and effective governance.
Adejoh called upon the Federal Government to restructure its security framework, advocating for a transition from reactive measures to proactive intelligence and the implementation of advanced surveillance. He further demanded that those accountable for the killing be identified and prosecuted to prevent further impunity. Expressing his sympathies to the victim’s family and the academic community, Adejoh urged leadership to prioritize national security as a way to preserve Salifu’s legacy.
