The entire student’s community of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Bauchi, has been thrown into mourning as a final year Geology student of the institution, Joseph Agabaidu, was on Sunday, reportedly stabbed by some assailants while trying to steal his mobile phone.
The deceased hails from Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, is based in Benue State and is said to be the eldest among four children of his family who school at ATBU, Bauchi.
According to a source, Agabaidu was returning to his lodge situated around the Yelwan Tudu Market in the Yelwa area, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis around 7 pm on Saturday when he was attacked and eventually stabbed to death.
The source said, “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 adding that “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.
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