By Ado Oyeyemi
A 400-level student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, Isma’il Ishaq Magaji, has been killed by a stray bullet amid a land dispute in his hometown, Wawa, in Borgu Local Government Area of the state.
Magaji, a student of Public Administration, was reportedly preparing for his final examinations before an industrial dispute by the Academic Staff Union of Universities forced the institution to suspend academic activities.
The deceased was said to have remained on campus for about two weeks after ASUU commenced its indefinite strike, hoping that the dispute would be resolved and the examinations rescheduled.
He was expected to begin his final examinations on September 5, 2026, but following the strike, he decided to return to Wawa.
According to sources, sporadic shootings reportedly occurred during a dispute over a parcel of land in the community, with one of the bullets allegedly striking Magaji.
One of his course mates, Ahmed Yakassai, described the deceased as a humble, calm and promising student, saying his decision to return home after the strike was declared proved fatal.
“When the strike was not called off, the student, described by his colleagues as a humble, calm and promising young man, decided to go home because of the indefinite strike. That was a fatal move. He did not return to the school alive,” Yakassai said.
The university’s Deputy Registrar, Information, Baba Akote, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying Magaji died after he was hit by a stray bullet during a land dispute in his hometown.
Akote quoted the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Sulaiman, as describing the incident as a distressing and painful loss to the university community.
“We extend our condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, classmates, and associates.
May Allah forgive Ismail Ishaq Magaji all his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and give his family the strength to bear this unbearable loss,” the VC said.
Sulaiman urged the communities involved in the dispute to embrace dialogue and restraint, stressing the need to prioritise peaceful coexistence to prevent further loss of lives.
In a condolence message, another course mate, Yahaya Lawal, described Magaji as a friendly and accommodating student whose death was unfortunate and worrisome.
Lawal said the deceased should have been preparing for his examinations and looking forward to contributing to society, adding that his calmness, gentility and simplicity would be missed by his colleagues.
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Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the land dispute and the shooting, but its spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, insisted that the police did not fire the bullet that killed Magaji.
