Students of Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) University, Lapai, took to the streets in a fiery protest on Monday morning following the brutal killing of a 200-level student during a robbery attack near the school gate.
The student, identified as Jafar, had only just resumed for the new academic session on Sunday before falling victim to armed robbers who stormed a student lodge in the Ndakitabu area around 2:30am. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants made away with valuables, while the university’s security personnel reportedly failed to intervene.
Jafar was stabbed in the neck during the attack and was rushed to the General Hospital in Lapai, where he was later confirmed dead.
The tragic incident sparked widespread anger among the student body. As early as 7am, students gathered at the school gate, blocking the Agaie-Lapai highway with burning tyres and sticks, chanting for justice and urgent security reforms.
According to protesting students, this is not the first time such incidents have occurred. They claim that since the beginning of the year, reports of robberies and sexual assaults, particularly targeting female students, have increased, but their repeated complaints to school authorities and the police have fallen on deaf ears.
"Our lives are no longer safe. We’ve lost too many things—phones, laptops, our peace of mind—and now a life. We won’t leave this road until something is done," one protester told reporters.
The atmosphere around the campus remained tense, with heavy traffic disruption on the blocked road. Students say they are demanding immediate and visible actions from both the school management and the Niger State Government to protect them.
Efforts to reach the school’s Information Officer were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered as of the time of filing this report.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for Niger State Command, SP Abiodun Wasiu, said operatives were deployed to the scene shortly after the incident but the robbers had already escaped.
“Unfortunately, one Jafar was stabbed on the neck. He was rushed to General Hospital Lapai, where he was later confirmed dead,” Wasiu said.
He added that tactical teams from the Command have since been deployed to restore calm and ensure the safety of students and residents around the university community.
The protest continues as students remain firm in their resolve, calling for justice for Jafar and demanding that security be treated as a right, not a privilege.
