The management of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has revealed the circumstances surrounding the killing of its deputy vice chancellor, Prof. Yusuf Saidu, by bandits in Zamfara State.
The university management, in a statement issued on Monday, said the deceased was killed in Zamfara on his way to Kaduna to represent the Vice Chancellor in an official assignment.
The statement said: “Professor Yusuf Saidu, UDUS VC RI&D, was killed yesterday around Kucheri of Zamfara State while on his way to represent the Vice Chancellor on an official duty in Kaduna State.
“Authentic sources confirmed that Prof. Yusuf Saidu with his driver; while traveling happened to stumble upon an ill-fated moment.
“As the exact time of their passage coincide with a moment bandits were being chased by soldiers from the bush.
“On reaching the highway, they saw his car [an official blue-coloured HILUX], the bandits mistook his car for that of the police, and they immediately opened fire on them, killing him instantly and injuring his driver.”
The statement added that the deceased was a man of integrity, religion, dedication, and courage.
The school described his demise as a “painful loss” to the university, praying to God to rest his soul.
“May Allah accept his soul and forgive his sin but this is a painful loss to all members of the university community and the academia at large,” the school said.
Meanwhile, management of the university confirmed that the body of the late professor would be laid to rest at 2: p.m. on Tuesday.
