In a chilling midnight raid that has shaken the academic community, suspected armed bandits launched a brutal attack on an off-campus hostel of the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), killing a herder and abducting a final-year student.
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Tuesday at Istijaba Villa, a private student lodge in the Unguwar Jeji area of Kalgo Local Government, Kebbi State. The gunmen, numbering five and heavily armed, reportedly caught students off guard as they slept, demanding money before unleashing violence.
Confirming the tragic event, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jamilu Magaji, said the attackers first approached students who were sleeping outside due to the heat. “The students pleaded that they had no money, but the assailants responded with brutality, physically assaulting them,” he recounted.
Amid the chaos, a herder identified as Malam Siddi Hussaini, who was tending to his cattle nearby, attempted to intervene but was gunned down on the spot in a ruthless show of force.
The attackers then abducted Augustine Madubiya, a 400-level student from the Department of Economics, and fled into the night. Another student, Collaneous Steven, a 200-level Business Administration student, narrowly escaped the grip of the attackers.
In the aftermath of the invasion, the Vice Chancellor of FUBK, Professor Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, visited the crime scene alongside the Divisional Police Officer of Kalgo Division and officials of the Department of State Services (DSS). The VC expressed deep concern over the rising insecurity plaguing student communities and vowed that the university would not rest until its students are safe.
“The safety and well-being of our students remains our utmost priority. We are working closely with security agencies to ensure the immediate rescue of the kidnapped student and prevent future occurrences,” he said.
The university administration has formally reported the incident to the Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris, through the offices of the Secretary to the State Government and the Director of Security Services at the Cabinet Office.
Professor Zaiyan-Umar also extended gratitude to members of the local community for their swift support during the ordeal. “We appreciate the solidarity shown by our host community. However, it is imperative that the government and security operatives intensify efforts to safeguard our institutions of learning,” he added.
The daring attack has reignited calls for a comprehensive security overhaul, particularly in student-populated areas vulnerable to criminal exploitation. As the university community reels from the shock, families and colleagues of the abducted student remain hopeful for a swift and safe return.
PIONEER NEWS 