The Niger State Government has announced plans to close down unsafe and unapproved student hostels in Lapai, following the tragic death of a 300-level student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), allegedly killed by phone thieves.
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The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hamidu Mu’azu Jantabo, during an emergency meeting held with key stakeholders in Lapai. The meeting had in attendance members of the state legislature, officials from the Ministry of Tertiary Education, and representatives of student organizations.
Jantabo expressed the government’s condolences to the university community and urged students to remain calm in the face of the tragedy. He warned against any form of violent protest, saying such actions could lead to prosecution under the state’s amended penal code.
As part of immediate measures to safeguard students, the commissioner revealed that over 200 trained local vigilantes would be deployed to patrol areas heavily populated by students. He added that official checkpoints would be established to deter criminal activities and improve response to emergencies.
Jantabo also raised concerns over the condition of student accommodations, pointing out that many hostels lacked basic security features despite charging high rental fees. He said the government, in collaboration with the Niger State Urban Development Board, would begin inspecting hostels and shut down those that do not meet safety standards.
“We cannot allow our children to live in danger while paying so much for rent,” he said. “Landlords must ensure their buildings are secure or risk government intervention.”
Additional steps announced include providing motorcycles and surveillance tools to support security personnel and mandating that students always carry valid identification cards to help distinguish them from intruders.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of IBBU, Prof. Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, called on students to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. He commended the government’s swift response and urged continued collaboration between students, school authorities, and security agencies.
