A final year student at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, Joseph Agabaidu, was fatally stabbed by assailants during an attempted theft of his mobile phone.
According to The PUNCH, the late Agabaidu, a 500-level Geology student at ATBU, hailed from Ankpa Local Government Area in Kogi State but resided in Benue State.
He was the eldest among four siblings attending ATBU, Bauchi.
According to a source within the institution, the tragic incident occurred as Agabaidu was heading back to his residence near the Yelwan Tudu Market in the Yelwa area, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis, around 7 pm on Saturday when he was assaulted.
“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.”
It has been reported that students plan to organize a peaceful protest on Monday morning to voice 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.”
