A final year student of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Joseph Agabaidu, has been stabbed to death by some assailants while trying to steal his mobile phone.
According to reports, the victim was a Geology student in his 500-level at ATBU. Originally from Ankpa Local Government Area in Kogi State, he resides in Benue State.
As the eldest of four siblings attending ATBU in Bauchi, he was reportedly heading back to his accommodation near Yelwan Tudu Market in the Yelwa area, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis, around 7 pm on Saturday when he fell victim to an attack.
“Agabaidu, a final year Geology student based in Otukpo LGA but an indigene of Ankpa LGA of Logo State, was fatally stabbed around 7 pm on Saturday as assailants attempted to forcefully take his phone.”
“Despite immediate efforts to get him medical help, Agabaidu succumbed to his injuries and passed away yesterday (Sunday) morning.”
“This tragic event echoes a similar incident last December when another Benue student lost his life in a phone-related struggle,” the source said.
He added, “In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, we implore the school management, the police, and the Bauchi State government to prioritise and enhance the security of students within the state.”
“Our community should not have to endure such sorrow, and proactive measures are crucial to prevent further tragedies.”
“Joseph is an older brother to three other siblings of his, all schooling here in ATBU. The VP SUG, two other staff members of the university and his siblings will be conveying his corpse back home.”
Meanwhile, students plan to conduct a peaceful protest on Monday morning to voice their concerns.
“The protest is to also draw the attention of the management of the school, the state government, security agencies and everyone to the situation we’ve found ourselves in as students,” he said.
Another student said, “Students are getting set for a peaceful protest this morning. It is to express our pain over the unfortunate incident that happened to our fellow students. This is not the first nor second time this would be happening.”
“I feel very pained about this incident. I also have three younger siblings here in the school. Imagine how I’ll feel if such should happen to any of them. It’s just that with the organisation I am a member of in the school, I just have to maintain a neutral stand on this. I shouldn’t be seen in the forefront of the entire protest, but honestly, it’s very painful.”
“I call on the management, the state government and security agencies to rise to this incident and provide more adequate security to all students who left their parents’ houses and have come to school to learn.”
Attempts to obtain a response from the school administration proved unsuccessful, as calls to the Director of Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa, went unanswered. As of the time of filing this report, he has not returned our correspondent’s calls.
Meanwhile, another source shared details of the planned protest with our correspondent. Students were urged to gather and participate in the protest at the ATBU Gate of the Yelwa Campus.
However, a cautionary note accompanied the message, advising students against engaging in any form of violence throughout the demonstration.
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“There will be a massive protest by ATBU students for the failure of the government and school management to provide a good security atmosphere for students off-campus.”
“You are advised to come out in numbers, 7 am prompt at Yelwa gate to protest against misplaced priorities.”
“We are not encouraging violence but we are looking out for our fellow balewites. It might be you next if we don’t collectively fight these issues.”
“No form of violence pls,” the statement warned.