By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Usman Danfodiyo University,
Professor Yusuf Sa’idu, Sokoto, was tragically killed by bandits on Monday afternoon.
Sokoto has seen series of armed conflict notably between Hausa indigenous people and Fulani.
The Fulani control the bureaucratic institutions and sustain two-century stronghold on the traditional institutions.
Recent years have witnessed resistance from Hausa natives believed to be in majority but have had the misfortune of being ruled by the Fulani since the 1804 Jihad which saw an end to the rule of the Hausa Habe.
The Monday attack which occurred along Kucheri in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State is seen by some observers as an extension of the age-old feud.
Professor Sa’idu, a respected Professor of Biochemistry, was serving as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Development at the university. He hailed from Niger State and was known for his religious devotion and humility, as noted by his colleague Dr. Bello Arkilla. “Even this morning, I was in his office and I was told he traveled,” Dr. Arkilla recounted.
The university announced Professor Sa’idu’s death in a brief statement on its Facebook page, confirming that he was attacked and killed by terrorists while traveling from Sokoto to Kaduna. The statement read:
“The death has occurred of Prof. Yusuf Saidu, the current Deputy Vice Chancellor Research Innovation and Development Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. He was attacked and killed by bandits on his way to Kaduna from Sokoto State. A man of integrity, religion, dedication, and courage. May Allah accept his soul and forgive his sin. This is a painful loss to all members of the University community and the academia at large.”
The loss of Professor Sa’idu will be deeply felt by the university community and the broader academic world.