The Emir announced the decision during an emergency meeting at his palace, which officials of the university, student union leaders, and community stakeholders attended.

Following the killing of a student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBUL), Lapai, the Emir of Lapai, His Royal Highness Alhaji Umar Bago Tafida III, has cancelled the town’s weekly Tuesday Market in honour of the deceased.

The Emir announced the decision during an emergency meeting at his palace, which officials of the university, student union leaders, and community stakeholders attended.

The cancellation comes in response to protests by students who are demanding justice and improved security in the university community.

The late student, Abdulwahab Jafar, a 200-level Science Education (Chemistry) student, was attacked in the early hours of Monday at his off-campus residence, Nda Kitabu Lodge, directly opposite the institution’s second gate. He was stabbed in the neck and later died at the General Hospital, Lapai.

“His Royal Highness expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and called for calm, assuring the university community of his commitment to supporting efforts that will enhance the safety and well-being of all residents of Lapai,” a palace statement said.

“The Emir further assured students of prompt and decisive measures to address security concerns. He issued a strong caution against individuals—both students and community members—who may be aiding or harboring criminal elements in Lapai.”

The killing triggered a wave of anger among students who took to the streets, barricading the Agaie–Lapai Road and demanding swift action from authorities.

The university management responded by shutting down the institution and ordering students to vacate their hostels immediately.

SaharaReporters previously reported that the victim had only just returned to campus on Sunday, June 22, when he was attacked by unidentified assailants around 2:30 a.m.

A student who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters said the insecurity has become a recurring nightmare for students.

“Armed robbers came to our hostel this midnight. They were armed with knives and other dangerous weapons. They stole a lot of phones, laptops and even killed one of us. The deceased was stabbed, and before we rushed him to the hospital, he had lost a lot of blood,” the student said.

A gory video obtained by SaharaReporters showed a pool of blood believed to be from the slain student, with distressed students crying and calling for justice.

A former student of the university, Salihu Aliyu, recounted how similar negligence led to a robbery at his lodge in 2021.

“The local government council and landlords are complicit. Before my lodge was robbed in 2021, we had vigilantes patrolling our area. The agreement was for each landlord to pay them 10,000 monthly. They stopped paying after a few months and, of course, the guys stopped coming around. My lodge was robbed after a few weeks,” the former student said.

“This issue has been going on for too long to have made the local government council pay it serious attention. As far as I know, they've never even tried to address it even once.”

Another concerned resident, Abu Qais, blamed both the government and landlords for the unsafe environment in which students are forced to live.

The source said, “What’s happening in IBBUL is as a result of negligence from the government. Provide more hostels to accommodate students and make them affordable.

“The owners of those lodges should provide adequate security to students. Students should prioritise staying in school hostels and lodges within the school environment.

“If you don’t want to stay in school hostels, prioritise lodges that are not only for students. Go out of the student areas and lodge. This gives you additional security from the settlers.”

As of the time of filing this report, students were still demanding justice for the slain student and calling for urgent measures to prevent further bloodshed.

In a statement to SaharaReporters, the Police Public Relations Officer of Niger State, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack and the death of the student: “Unfortunately, one Jafar was stabbed in the neck and he was rushed to General Hospital Lapai where he was later confirmed dead.”

He added: “As a result of this, some students barricaded Agaie-Lapai Road, protesting against this incident. However, tactical teams of the Command have been dispatched to Lapai to ensure that normalcy is restored. The Commissioner of Police has directed that the perpetrators of this heinous crime must be arrested and brought to book.”

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