Students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, have staged a protest over the killing of a fellow student during an armed robbery on campus.

The demonstration, marked by anger and grief, saw students accusing the school management and campus security of negligence. They claimed that the current security measures failed to protect them and called for the immediate removal of police officers stationed at the institution, alleging the officers prioritised their safety over that of the students.

The victim, identified as Jafar, was reportedly stabbed in the neck by the assailants at about 2:30 a.m., and later died at the General Hospital in Lapai, where he was taken for treatment.

According to a statement by the police spokesperson in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, officers from the Lapai Police Division responded to distress calls but arrived after the attackers had fled the scene.

The incident is being treated as a case of “suspected armed robbery and culpable homicide,” Mr Abiodun said. News of the killing sparked outrage within the university community, prompting many students to block the Agaie–Lapai highway in protest.

Many students have since expressed fear and frustration over the deteriorating security situation on campus. One of the protesters lamented: “We came here to study, not to lose our lives. We can’t even sleep with our eyes closed anymore. Every day, we live in fear of being robbed or attacked.”

The students highlighted recurring incidents of theft and insecurity, accusing the police of failing to act or allegedly shielding suspects. A student recounted: “I was once robbed of my phone. Because of that, I missed a test. The lecturers didn’t even ask why. Nobody cares. We are just left to suffer.”

Demanding action, the students called on the university management to replace the current security setup with military personnel, insisting that all police officers on campus be removed immediately.