Gunmen Strike Off-Campus Hostel in Kebbi, Kill One, Abduct Student

Gunmen have abducted a 400-level student of the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi.

This happened in a late-night attack on Istijaba Villa, an off-campus hostel located in Unguwar Jeji, Kalgo Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The incident, which occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, also claimed the life of a good Samaritan.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the attack in a press statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar.

The kidnapped student, identified as 23-year-old Augustine Madubiya, is a final-year Economics undergraduate at the institution.

According to the police, the attackers stormed the student lodge in a coordinated assault.

During the operation, Malam Siddi Hussaini attempted to intervene but was shot by the assailants. The local herder was nearby tending to his cattle. He was later confirmed dead by medical personnel.

Following the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Kalgo swiftly deployed a team of operatives to the scene.

The Kebbi State Police Command has since launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.

“The command is acting on credible intelligence, and a combined team of security operatives is combing nearby forests to rescue the abducted student and apprehend the kidnappers,” the statement added.

Authorities have assured residents of Kebbi State of their continued efforts to restore peace and bring those responsible to justice.

Some Context

Kidnapping for ransom has become a pervasive security challenge in Nigeria, with incidents reported across various parts of the country.

While initially concentrated in the Niger Delta region, the menace has since spread to the North-West, North-Central, and South-Eastern regions.

In recent years, students, travelers, and rural dwellers have become frequent targets, often abducted from schools, highways, and even their homes.

The rising wave of abductions, largely attributed to armed bandits, insurgents, and opportunistic criminal gangs, has strained the nation’s security apparatus and heightened public fear.

Security agencies have deployed a lot of efforts with intensified patrols and intelligence-led operations, but the kidnapping epidemic remains a major threat to peace, education, and economic stability in affected areas like Kebbi State.