NOUN treasurer shot dead in Zamfara

The Bursar of the National Open University of Nigeria, Nasiru Marafa, was reportedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

The University disclosed this in an official notification signed by the Registrar and Secretary of the Council, Oladipo Ajayi, on Sunday.

Ajayi said Marafa was reportedly shot while returning from Gusau, although the university did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” the university said when announcing the treasurer’s death.

The statement read, “The Vice Chancellor, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Senate, Staff and Students of the National Open University of Nigeria, regrets to announce the sudden and untimely passing of the Treasurer of the University, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa, which occurred today, Sunday, September 6, 2026.”

The university described Marafa as a “dedicated and committed staff member” who served the institution well and held various positions of responsibility during his career.

It said he was appointed NOUN Bursar in September 2022 and took the position with “a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to the progress of the University.”

The statement added, “The entire University community mourns the loss of a respected colleague, dedicated administrator, and valued member of the NOUN family.”

The institute expressed its condolences to his immediate family, relatives, friends, colleagues and others who mourn his death.

The statement said further information regarding funeral arrangements will be communicated once details are announced by the family.

The university prays that Allah SWT will forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus and give strength to his family, friends, colleagues and the entire university community to endure this loss.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Yazid, proved unsuccessful, as his telephone line was unreachable at the time of filing this report.