On Monday night, suspected armed robbers launched an attack on students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, a state-owned institution in Niger State, resulting in the death of one student and the robbery of others at a student lodge situated across from the university’s main campus.
This incident has sparked concern among the student body over a resurgence of attacks, which they attribute to what they describe as insufficient security presence in the university environment.
The assault, which took place during the night between Sunday and Monday and led to the death of a 300-level student in the Education Department under the Faculty of Arts, marks the third such incident in the area in less than two weeks.
According to an eyewitness, the attackers arrived at the student lodge in Ndakitabu, directly opposite the main entrance of the institution, at approximately 2:30 a.m.
Tragically, the student, known only as Jafar, had returned to school late Sunday and unknowingly walked in on the armed robbers while they were in the middle of their attack. He was stabbed multiple times in the neck.
Sources say the deceased, who was reportedly the only son in his family, was taken to the General Hospital in Lapai, where he was later pronounced dead.
In response, students of IBBU, Lapai, voiced their concerns over the increasing incidents of crime, particularly affecting students living off-campus, and urged the police to take swift action.
Showing their frustration and grief, a large number of students gathered to block the Agaie-Lapai road in protest of Jaafar’s death, demanding that the state government direct security agencies to increase surveillance and protection in the area.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the most recent incident and acknowledged that students had obstructed the Agaie-Lapai road to protest the killing of their fellow student.
In a statement, Abiodun added that tactical units from the command had been deployed to Lapai to restore peace and order.
He further stated that an investigation into the attack had been initiated on the orders of the state commissioner of police to identify and prosecute those responsible.
