Students of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Yelwa Campus, in Bauchi, staged a peaceful protest on Monday over the killing of their colleague, Joseph Agabaidu, a final-year Geology student, who was stabbed to death by robbers on Saturday night.
According to DAILY POST, Agabaidu was returning to his lodge near the Yelwan Tudu Market in the Yelwa area, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis, at about 7:00 pm, when he was attacked by unknown assailants. He reportedly died from the injuries sustained during the attack.
The students of ATBU, who were aggrieved by the incident, said they would embark on a peaceful protest on Monday to demand justice for their slain colleague and improved security in the area.
However, the protest turned violent as the police deployed armored tankers and fired teargas to disperse the students, who had blocked the gate of the campus and disrupted academic activities.
The authorities of ATBU university tried to calm the situation, but the students refused to listen and sang solidarity songs.
The protest caused tension and panic among residents and motorists in the area, as they feared a possible clash between the students and the police.
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The police spokesperson in the state, Ahmed Wakili, confirmed the incident and said the police were on top of the situation. He said the police were only trying to maintain law and order and prevent any breakdown of law and order.
He also said the police had launched an investigation into the killing of the student and assured that the perpetrators would be brought to book.
The Vice-Chancellor of ATBU university, Professor Muhammad Abdulazeez, expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased student and appealed to the students to remain calm and peaceful. He said the university was working with the security agencies to ensure the safety of the students and staff. He also said the university would provide counselling and support to the students who were traumatized by the incident.