The Bursar of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Malam Nasiru Marafa Gusau, who was reportedly shot dead by suspected bandits while travelling from Zamfara State to Abuja, will be honoured with a Janaza Ga’ib prayer on Monday, September 7, 2026.
The prayer, according to the university, will be held immediately after the 1:30 p.m. Zuhr prayer at the NOUN Jumaat Mosque, Jabi, Abuja, opposite the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Gusau was reportedly killed by suspected bandits during his journey from Gusau, Zamfara State to Abuja, in another incident highlighting the growing security challenges confronting travellers along some routes in the country.
Announcing arrangements for the prayer, NOUN Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Shehu Usman Adamu, invited members of the deceased’s family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers to participate in the prayers.
The Janaza Ga’ib, or absentee funeral prayer, is an Islamic prayer offered for a deceased person who is not physically present at the location of the prayer.
The university said the former Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the NOUN Governing Council, Malam Isa Yuguda, OFR, would be among Muslim faithful expected to offer prayers for the deceased.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, is also expected to pay his condolences to the Muslim community.
The institution urged members of the university community and the public to attend the prayer and pray for the repose of Gusau’s soul.
The university, in its condolence message, prayed that Allah would forgive the deceased’s shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus, while asking Allah to give his family the strength to bear the loss.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un,” the university said, expressing its grief over the death.
The circumstances surrounding the reported killing of the Bursar have further raised concerns over the safety of travellers on roads linking parts of the North-West to the Federal Capital Territory, where bandit attacks and kidnappings have remained a major security challenge.
