Less than 24 hours after the fatal stabbing of a 200-level Chemistry student, suspected armed robbers have again targeted another student lodge affiliated with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBUL), Lapai, Niger State.
SaharaReporters gathered that the latest incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Malagi Lodge, situated within the State Low-Cost Housing area.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants — armed with a pistol and a cutlass — carted away five iPhones, including an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a black Haoju motorcycle. The stolen bike was later recovered by police along Agaie Road.
“Around 2:30 a.m. today, there was another robbery at Malagi Lodge, near ‘Mai Wankin Hula Shop’. The criminals took five iPhones, including a 14 Pro Max, and made away with a Haoju motorcycle,” one student recounted. “There were only two robbers, both armed — one with a gun, the other with a cutlass.”
This latest attack closely follows the tragic death of Abdulwahab Jafar, a 200-level undergraduate, who was stabbed in the neck during a robbery at Nda Kitabu Lodge, directly opposite the university’s main gate. The incident occurred around the same time on Monday, 22nd June. Jafar had only just resumed on campus that day and later succumbed to his injuries at the General Hospital in Lapai.
The killing sparked widespread outrage. Students protested, blocking the Agaie–Lapai Road to demand urgent intervention in the escalating insecurity plaguing the university’s host community. Reports also emerged of an assault on the founder of Lapai TV near the campus gate during the protest.
In response, the university management declared Tuesday, 24th June, and Wednesday, 25th June, as lecture-free days to allow students and staff to mourn, reflect, and pray for the deceased.
A statement issued by Alhaji Baba Akote, Deputy Registrar, Information, affirmed that normalcy had returned to both the Main and Kobo campuses. It also dismissed reports that students had been attacked by local residents as “false and misleading.”
“The situation in Lapai is now calm. Students are advised to continue their academic and personal activities without fear or hindrance,” the statement read.
To enhance safety, the University announced that it has commenced routine security patrols across student lodges and critical access roads. Students have been urged to remain vigilant, avoid circulating unverified information, and cooperate fully with security agencies.
