In the early hours of Tuesday, five armed assailants stormed the Istijaba Villa off-campus hostel of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), abducting a 400-level Economics student, Augustine Madubiya, and fatally shooting a local herder, Malam Siddi Hussaini.
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The attackers, who arrived with weapons drawn, initially demanded money from students who had sought refuge outdoors due to the oppressive heat. When their demands went unmet, the assailants resorted to violence, assaulting the students before taking Augustine with them.
Malam Hussaini, who was tending his cattle nearby, witnessed the unfolding scene and attempted to intervene in an effort to rescue the students. Tragically, he was shot and killed by the attackers.
In response to the attack, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris directed the Director of Security to coordinate with security agencies for the immediate rescue of the kidnapped student. The state’s anti-terrorism unit has also been assigned to the case. Security forces have been mobilized, and a joint operation is underway to track down the abductors and secure Augustine’s release.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Zaiyan Umar, visited the site of the incident and assured the public that the university’s leadership is working closely with law enforcement to resolve the situation.
