THE National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has announced the death of its Bursar, Nasiru Marafa, who was shot while returning from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
The university announced his death in a statement on Sunday, September 6, by its Registrar and Secretary to Council, Oladipo Ajayi.
According to the university, Marafa was shot while returning from Gusau, although it did not disclose the exact location of the incident or the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Senate, Staff and Students of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), regrets to announce the sudden and untimely passing of the University Bursar, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa,” the statement said.
“According to information available to the university, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa was reportedly shot while returning from Gusau.”
The university did not identify the attackers or state whether the incident was linked to banditry or any other criminal group.
Marafa was described by NOUN as a dedicated and committed staff member who served the institution meritoriously and occupied various positions of responsibility during his career.
The university said he was appointed its bursar in September 2026, where he assumed the position with “a strong sense of duty and commitment to the advancement of the university.”
His death comes amid a prolonged security crisis in Zamfara and other parts of Nigeria’s North-West, where armed groups have carried out repeated attacks and kidnappings.
Zamfara has remained one of the states worst affected by banditry, with residents and travellers frequently exposed to attacks in communities and major highways.
Major roads linking Gusau with other parts of the state have also recorded repeated attacks, particularly by armed groups operating from forests and remote areas.
In August, eight travellers were killed and eight others abducted when gunmen attacked motorists along the Gusau-Funtua highway in Tsafe Local Government Area. Nine other passengers sustained gunshot injuries in the attack, according to the police.
The Magami-Dansadau road has similarly been affected by attacks. In May, suspected terrorists reportedly ambushed travellers along the route, killing several people and abducting others.
Earlier in February, at least 30 people were killed and several others abducted when gunmen attacked Dutsin Dan Ajiya village in Anka Local Government Area.
The violence has also extended to government officials and security personnel. In April, gunmen attacked the convoy of Zamfara State Governor’s Chief of Staff, Mouktar Lugga, along the Gusau-Funtua highway in Tsafe Local Government Area.
The ICIR reports that the recurring attacks have disrupted economic activities, displaced residents and restricted movement in several communities across the country.
The security crisis has also affected access to public services. An ICIR investigation previously found that prolonged attacks in Zamfara had forced some health workers to flee and contributed to the closure of primary healthcare centres in affected communities.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M