Sudanese student, Anowar Tagabo, murdered in Sheffield had come to Britain for 'better life'
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The family of a Sudanese student who came to Britain in search of a better life have been left devastated by his murder on the streets of Sheffield, police said.
Anowar Tagabo, 25, who was in his first year studying Peace and Development at the University of Bradford, was assaulted by a group of men and women outside a nightclub in the city centre in the early hours of 25 May. He was immediately taken to hospital for treatment but died of a head injury nine days later.
Mr Tagabo had been visiting Sheffield to represent his family at a community wedding and had decided to go for a night out with a friend, police said. His friend later went home, but Mr Tagabo remained in the city centre with another man they had met during the night.
The pair were attacked after exchanging words with a group of people outside the Viper Rooms nightclub in Carver Street, with Mr Tagabo suffering a serious head injury and his companion being chased away.
Detective Chief Inspector Natalie Shaw of South Yorkshire Police said: “His family is devastated because he had come to the UK for a better life but it has ended in tragedy.” Family liaison officers are in contact with Mr Tagabo’s relatives, who are believed to have travelled from the UK from Chad in central Africa.
Omar Ali, a fellow student of Mr Tagabo’s at Bradford, said he was “absolutely devastated” about what had happened to his friend. “I would honestly say that of all the people I’ve met during my time here he was probably the kindest,” he added. “Everyone’s just shocked.”
Police said yesterday that a number people were known to have witnessed the attack and expressed their frustration that nobody had come forward with information.
“I can’t believe that no-one has yet had the courage to come forward and tell the police what they saw,” said DCI Shaw. “From CCTV we can see that at least half a dozen people directly witnessed what happened. That includes the unknown male who was with Anowar at the time and who was chased from the scene by a group after the attack.”
A University of Bradford spokesperson said: “We are extremely saddened to hear of the death of Anowar Tagabo. The university is assisting South Yorkshire police with enquiries into their investigation. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this very difficult time.”