Outrage as IBBU Student Abdulkareem Is Killed in His Lodge — NANISS Demands Justice, Niger Govt Promises Crackdown

Grief swept through the student community of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, as 200-level student Abdulkareem was fatally stabbed in the neck by suspected phone snatchers at his off-campus residence in Ndakikpabu. The victim later died at Lapai General Hospital, sparking fury, protests, and demands for justice from student bodies and the wider public.

The National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) described the killing as a heartbreaking tragedy that exposes the university’s weak security network. The group, alongside protesting students, called on authorities to act swiftly. “No student should have to live in fear,” NANISS declared on Monday, as hundreds marched in peaceful demonstration through Lapai streets.

Niger State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hamidu Mu’azu Jantabo, assured students of urgent action. During an emergency stakeholders’ meeting, he announced that over 200 trained local vigilantes would be deployed across student-dominated areas, with official checkpoints and surveillance tools also being introduced to counter crime.

Jantabo, speaking alongside security agencies, student representatives, the IBBUL alumni body, and the Ministry of Tertiary Education, warned against violent protests, stating that anyone caught wielding weapons would face the full wrath of the law under the state’s amended penal code. He also vowed to crack down on landlords charging up to ₦400,000 for lodges that lack even the most basic security infrastructure.

A sweeping inspection of student hostels is expected to begin this week in partnership with the Niger State Urban Development Board (NUDB). Hostels that fail safety standards or operate without formal approval will be sealed off, while new rules will require students to carry valid ID cards at all times to assist law enforcement in ensuring safety.

The university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, appealed for calm and vigilance, urging students to report any suspicious activity and work closely with the administration to prevent further tragedy. He emphasized the university’s commitment to protecting its students and collaborating with state authorities to overhaul security measures.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command has deployed tactical teams to restore order and launched an investigation into the killing. Students and the public alike await answers and justice as calls grow louder for systemic reforms and accountability in off-campus housing policies and policing.