Student of IBBU Lapai murdered by armed robbers in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a 200-level student, simply identified as Jafar, of the state-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, IBBU, Lapai, in Lapai Local Government Area, by armed robbers.

The deceased, said to be the only son of his parents, was stabbed in the neck by robbers who invaded his lodge near the university’s gate at about 2:30 am.

Angered by the development, students of the institution blocked the Agaie–Lapai road to protest the killing of their colleague.

In a viral video, the students gathered and reportedly killed one of the robbers.

They decried the frequent killings of students occurring off-campus, incidents over which the school management has limited control, while stressing the urgent need to increase security presence in Lapai, especially given the presence of the university.

The aggrieved students called on the state government and host community to urgently come together and design a comprehensive security architecture to safeguard the entire city of Lapai.

According to one of the students, “Many universities today have police outposts within or around their campuses to enhance the safety of both students and the university community. Lapai deserves no less.

“We won’t let this one slip, we want the state governor to know of the incompetence of the school to handle this situation. When we voiced out about it, they denied it on their official page, claiming it was false.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said in a statement: “Today being 23rd June, 2025 at about 3am, information was received that at about 2:30 am, some hoodlums attacked a student lodge at Ndakitabu area via Lapai. Police operatives of Lapai Division rushed to the scene, but the suspected robbers had escaped.

“Unfortunately, one Jafar was stabbed in the neck and he was rushed to General Hospital Lapai where he was later confirmed dead.”

According to him, as a result of this, some students barricaded the Agaie–Lapai road, protesting against the incident.

He further stated that tactical teams of the command have been dispatched to Lapai to ensure normalcy is restored, while an investigation into the unfortunate incident has commenced.

“The Commissioner of Police directed that the perpetrators of this heinous crime must be arrested and brought to book,” the statement added.