ATBU Students Rally Against Brutal Killing of Fellow Student by Robbers

• ATBU students protest the tragic killing of a 500-level student, expressing outrage over escalating insecurity and demanding improved safety measures
• The victim, Joseph Obiaje Agabaidu, was fatally stabbed during a robbery, prompting calls for enhanced security from both students and authorities

In a display of solidarity, hundreds of students from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration to voice their outrage over the tragic killing of a 500-level student. The student was fatally stabbed by suspected robbers in an incident that occurred at Yelwan Tudu market around 7:00 pm on Saturday.

The demonstrators, holding leaves symbolically, gathered at the main gate of the Yalwa Campus around 8 am on Monday. However, a robust police presence thwarted their attempts to extend the protest beyond the university campus.

The victim, identified as Joseph Obiaje Agabaidu from Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, fell victim to assailants attempting to forcibly snatch his phone.

Expressing their grievances, one protester, who chose to remain anonymous, decried the escalating insecurity and criticized both the government and the school management for failing to provide adequate security for off-campus students.

“In the aftermath of this tragic loss, we call on the school management, the police, and the Bauchi State government to prioritize and bolster the security of students within the state,” pleaded the student.

In response to the incident, ATBU’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa, revealed that the university was still working to confirm the deceased’s identity as the unfortunate event unfolded outside the campus.

Bappa stated, “We have yet to receive information from the police regarding the killing of our student. We woke up to our students engaging in a peaceful demonstration against the killing of their colleagues. At present, the police have not officially communicated the details of the incident to the university management.”

He further emphasized the need to quell the demonstration’s intensity, acknowledging the students’ anger and the university’s commitment to awaiting official information from the police before issuing a formal statement.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Wakil, proved unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. The university and students await official details from law enforcement to shed light on the unfortunate event and pave the way for a comprehensive response.