Terrorists suspected to be bandits have killed Professor Yusuf Saidu, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation, and Development at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS).
The university disclosed this tragic incident in a statement on Monday evening, June 25, 2024.
According to the statement, Professor Saidu was attacked and killed while travelling from Sokoto State to Kaduna State.
The university described his passing as a significant loss, noting his integrity, religious devotion, dedication, and courage.
“The death has occurred of Prof. Yusuf Saidu, the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation, and Development at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto,” the university’s statement read. “He was attacked and killed by bandits on his way to Kaduna from Sokoto State. A man of integrity, religion, dedication, and courage.”
The university community has been thrown into deep mourning for the loss of Professor Saidu. In their statement, they prayed for the repose of his soul and expressed their condolences to his family and colleagues.
“May Allah accept his soul and forgive his sins. This is a painful loss to all members of the University community and the academia at large,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, students and colleagues of the deceased have taken to social media to mourn the late professor, sharing stories of how he positively impacted their lives.
Uchenna Emelife, a former student who convened the Sokoto Book and Art Festival (SOBAFest) while he was a student, said the late professor supported and guided the group of students. Since the first edition in 2021, SOBAFest has continued as an annual event in the state.
“I remember our first meeting in 2021 and his keen interest in SOBAFest. One of the very few academics who held our hands and patted our backs when it seemed like we were orphans without direction,” Mr Emelife wrote.
Another student, Victoria Eneze, narrated how the late professor saved her friend, Hadiza Abubakar, from dropping out of school when she couldn’t pay her school fees.
“We were in the 400 level when my friend was not able to pay her school fees due to financial challenges,” she said.
She noted that Ms Abubakar, studying Microbiology, approached Mr Saidu after she was referred to him by a member of the executive committee of her department’s student union leadership.
“She told him, and he paid the school fee for her.”
A former student of Mr Saidu, Shuaib Kura, described him as a man of simplicity and humility. “He supports and encourages us to be the best we can,” he posted on Facebook.
The institution’s social media manager, Salahuddeen Bala, said: “Some of our conversations are rather confidential, but the efforts he has made for me to excel in the discharge of my duty as the university’s social media handler are enormous.”
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