Gale of deaths hits varsity lecturers in north

The University of Maiduguri in Borno State is in grief as it has again recorded the fourth loss of yet another professor – all within a spate of two months.

In a similar development, two lecturers –  one with the Federal University, Dutsinma, Katsina State and the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, were also killed by unknown gunmen and under mysterious circumstances.

Arewa PUNCH gathered that the death of late Dr. Tiri Gyan David of FUD may not be unconnected to the attack he suffered in the hands of suspected terrorists who stormed his residence and killed him in the early hours of Tuesday, while professor Yusuf Saidu, the, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Innovation  and Development was believed to have been killed on his way to Kaduna State while criss-crossing the Sokoto-Zamfara-Kaduna highway, Monday, last week.

Earlier in April this year, the University of Maiduguri had lost two professors –  Prof Abdulkadir Kamar, Department of Physical and Health Education – who was found dead in his room.

In the case of Prof Aliyu Mani, of the Faculty of Veterinary who was said to have died in a bloody explosion while in May, this year, Prof Mustapha Kokari, of the Department of Biological Sciences died after a brief illness.

On Tuesday, the Police Commissioner, Borno State Command, Yusuf Lawal, confirmed to journalists the death of Prof Ruth Wazis of the Department of Business Management in very strange circumstances.

The top cop while answering questions from journalists on the sad incident, said that the lady professor died in a desmotic accident.

Lawal narrated that the incident occurred on Sunday after she had parked her car in the garage, then in a surprising manner, an unusual mechanical problem developed, and the car speed off, hit her and that resulted into severe injuries.

He added that before the family could transport her to the hospital, she died on the way, and her corpse was deposited in the mortuary.

When our correspondent contacted one of the professors in the university who speak on the condition of annonimty, he said, “I can’t speak on the matter now, because the family is yet to brief the institution on plans concerning her burial.

“Immediately the university make any official statement on the death of Professor Ruth Wazis, I will contact you officially with the information.”

In 2017,  three lecturers of the university were also killed during an attack on oil workers in Borno State. The three lecturers were: Dr.Joseph Militus, Dr. Manaja Uba and Dr. Idris Njodi.

At the Federal University Dustima, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity in a telephone interview told our reporter that the terrorists stormed the deceased persons residence at about 1:30 am at the Yarima Quarters  Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

“The bandits invaded the community with sophisticated weapons, shooting sporadically into the air to scare us.

“The hoodlums, kidnapped two biological children of the lecturer.”

The Katsina Police Command  Spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, who confirmed the incident, said, “the State Police Command will soon release a detailed statement regarding the incident.”

The Dutsinma Local Government is among the ten security frontline councils that has suffered frequent attacks by the terrorists almost on a daily basis, despite the efforts by both the State government and security agencies to curtail the activities of the bandits.

At UDUS in a statement signed by the University Public Relations Officer, Ismaila Muhammad Yauri, and made available to PUNCH in the state, it stated that the Deputy Vice Chancellor was on official trip to Kaduna before the attack.

 Part of the statement read, “the University Management is deeply saddened to announce the death of Professor Yusuf Saidu, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation, and Development. Professor Saidu was killed by bandits on 24th June, 2024,while on his way to Kaduna on an official university business.

“Professor Saidu was a distinguished leader, a passionate researcher, and a dedicated educator who made significant contributions to the university.”

“He will be deeply missed by all who know him.”

“Professor Saidu’s leadership was instrumental in advancing research initiatives and enhancing a culture of innovation across the institution. His exceptional dedication to duty and commitments, rank him as one of the very best the university ever had.