In a heartbreaking incident, Joseph Agabaidu, a 500-level Geology student at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, was stabbed to death by assailants during an attempted mobile phone theft.
Originally from Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State and residing in Benue State, the eldest of four siblings studying at ATBU met his untimely demise while returning to his lodge near Yelwan Tudu Market in the Yelwa area of Bauchi metropolis around 7 pm on Saturday.
The tragic event has left the university community in shock, prompting concerns among schoolmates who are now planning a protest to address the security situation.
“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, our correspondent learnt students are set to stage a peaceful protest Monday morning to express their grievances.
“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.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the school management failed as the Director, of Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa, could not be reached as his phone rang out twice.
He has yet to return our correspondent’s calls as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, a notice of the planned protest was shared with our correspondent by another source in which students were called upon to mobilise themselves and come out for the protest at the ATBU Gate of the Yelwa Campus.
The students were, however, warned not to be violent throughout the protest.
“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.
