University of Maiduguri in Borno State is in grief again, as it recorded the loss of yet another professor – four within a spate of two months.
In a similar development, two lecturers –one with the Federal University, Dutsinma, FUD, Katsina State and Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, were also killed by unknown gunmen and under mysterious circumstances.
It was gathered that the death of 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 Sokoto-Zamfara-Kaduna highway, Monday, last week.
Earlier in April, the University of Maiduguri lost Professor Abdulkadir Kamara of the Department of Physical and Health Education – who was found dead in his room.
In the case of Professor Aliyu Mani of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, who was said to have died in a bloody explosion in May, Professor Mustapha Kokari of the Department of Biological Sciences died after a brief illness.
On Tuesday, the Police Commissioner, Borno State Command, Yusuf Lawal, confirmed the death of Professor 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 professor died in a domestic 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 in 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 spoke on the condition of anonymity, 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 makes an official statement on the death of Professor 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. They are : Drs Joseph Militus, Manaja Uba and Idris Njodi.
At the Federal University Dustima, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity told our correspondent that the terrorists stormed the deceased persons residence at about 1:30 am at Yarima Quarters, Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“Bandits invaded the community with sophisticated weapons, shooting sporadically into the air to scare us.
“The hoodlums, kidnapped two biological children of the lecturer.”
Spokesman of the Katsina State Police Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, who confirmed the incident, said, “the State Police Command will soon release a detailed statement regarding the incident.”
Dutsinma Local Government is among the ten frontline councils that has suffered frequent attacks by terrorists almost on a daily basis, despite the efforts of the state government and security agencies to curtail their activities.
At UDUS, a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Ismaila Yauri, and made available to journalists, stated that the deputy vice chancellor was on official trip to Kaduna before the attack.
Part of the statement reads, “the university management is deeply saddened to announce the death of Professor Yusuf Saidu, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation, and Development. He was killed by bandits on June 24 while on his way to Kaduna on official 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.
“His 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.”
