Tragedy struck in the early hours of Monday when Jafaru, a 300-level student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, was stabbed to death by suspected armed robbers during a violent invasion of a student lodge in Ndakitabu.
The brutal attack, which occurred around 2:30 am, sent shockwaves through the university community, triggering massive protests as enraged students barricaded the Agaie-Lapai highway in a furious demand for justice.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chilling moments when the hoodlums stormed the off-campus student residence. Jafaru, whose full identity is being withheld pending family notification, was reportedly stabbed in the neck during the assault. Fellow students rushed him to Lapai General Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
The Niger State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, stating that officers from the Lapai Division responded swiftly but the attackers had already fled.
Grief and anger spilled onto the roads as students blocked the Agaie-Lapai highway, disrupting traffic for hours. The protesters, chanting slogans against insecurity, demanded immediate government action to protect students residing in off-campus accommodations, which have become soft targets for criminals.
Police tactical teams were deployed to restore order, while authorities assured the public that an investigation was underway. The Commissioner of Police has reportedly ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators, vowing that they would face the full wrath of the law.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that local vigilantes later intercepted the fleeing assailants, killing one of them in a fierce confrontation. While police authorities have yet to verify this claim, sources within the community say the vigilante group acted in retaliation following the student’s murder.
The killing has reignited fears over the safety of students in Lapai, many of whom reside in poorly secured private hostels. Parents and student leaders are now calling for increased police patrols and better security measures around student-populated areas.
As investigations continue, the university community mourns yet another life cut short by violence, with many questioning whether enough is being done to protect young scholars in Niger State.
