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From Paul Orude Bauchi
The police has prevented students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Yelwa Campus, from protesting the gruesome murder of their 500 level colleague.
The deceased, Joseph Obiaje Agabaidu, of the Geology department was stabbed to death by suspected armed robbers who tried to steal his phone.
One of the protesting students lamented who pleaded anonymity lamented that the police prevented the protest by locking the entrance of the Yelwa Campus.
The students were protesting the failure of the government and school management to provide adequate security for students staying off-campus
The student said the protest started around 8: 00 am at Yelwa gate with heavy presence of police who prevented the students from coming outside the university campus by blocking the entrance of the Yelwa Campus
The protest did not however happen at the Gubi campus as the protesting students in Yelwa campus condemned what they called misplaced priorities.
It will be recalled that the students had staged a peaceful protest Government House weeks ago to complaint about insecurity in Sabon Kaura area behind the university where majority of students stay off campus.
The students were enraged about the gruesome murder of Agabaidu said to be the eldest among four children of his family.
Agabaudu, who hailed from Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, was returning to his lodge situated around the Yelwan Tudu market at about 7.00pm on Saturday, when he was waylaid and likked.
He was said to have succumbed to injuries and passed away on Sunday morning.
It was learnt that last December another student lost his life in a phone-related struggle.
The protesting students implored the school management, the police, and the State government to prioritise the security of students within the state.
The Director, Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa, said the university was investigating to unravel the identity of the deceased to verify if he was a registered student of institution.
Zailani said the university would make an official statement after police investigation.
