Kebbi varsity student abducted as gunmen attack off-campus hostel

A student of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has been abducted by unidentified gunmen following an off-campus hostel attack.

Channels reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Istijaba Villa in Unguwar Jeji area of the state.

Witness accounts said five armed men entered the hostel to demand money from students who were taking a walk outside. 

But the students refused to give in to their demands, which led to an assault from the attackers.

A resident, who was said to have attempted intervention, was shot dead while a final-year student of economics, simply identified as Madubiya, was whisked away by the assailants.

Responding to the incident, Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, the vice-chancellor of FUBK, visited the scene in the company of the officers from the Kalgo police division and Department of State Services (DSS).

Addressing the students, Zaiyan-Umar said the university is committed to ensuring their safety and security.

It is understood that the VC has communicated the incident to Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi state, through the secretary to the state government and the director of security services at the cabinet office.

As of this reporting, the Kebbi state police command has yet to respond to enquiries about the incident.

In 2021, rumours soared of a planned attack by bandits after a heavy security presence was observed on campus.

At the time, the management of FUBK dismissed the claims.