By Muhammad Sani Muazu
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Bauchi Axis, has condemned in strong terms the killing of a student of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi, and called for immediate and sustained security intervention in off-campus student communities across the state.
The deceased, identified as Samuel Mbami, a Mass Communication student, was reportedly killed on Friday night during a violent armed robbery attack in Wunti Dada, a community in Bauchi metropolis that houses a large population of students.
Addressing a press conference in Bauchi on Saturday, the Executive Chairman of NANS JCC Bauchi Axis, Senator Ibrahim Salihu Maigoro, described the incident as “a devastating and senseless act that has once again highlighted the vulnerability of students residing off campus.”
He said: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences go to the family, friends, and colleagues of Samuel. This killing is not only a painful loss to the student community, but also a sad reflection of the growing insecurity around student settlements. We demand justice and decisive action to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.”
Engagement with Polytechnic Management
Following the tragedy, NANS convened an emergency meeting with the management of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, led by the Rector. At the meeting, the institution’s authorities assured that adequate space is available in the school’s official hostels to accommodate students, urging them to consider on-campus accommodation as a safer alternative to off-campus residences.
The Rector also emphasized the need for landlords in student-dominated areas like Wunti Dada to introduce effective tenant verification systems, which would make it more difficult for suspected criminals to infiltrate such communities under the guise of tenancy.
Community and Security Stakeholders Tasked
Beyond the school management, NANS has also appealed to community leaders and security agencies to step up responsibility. The student body specifically called on the traditional leadership of Wunti Dada to activate a community-based vigilante group that will operate in close collaboration with student leaders, polytechnic authorities, and security agencies.
According to the association, this collaborative structure is necessary to ensure every individual within the student environment is known, verified, and accounted for, thereby reducing the chances of criminals mingling freely with students.
NANS further tasked the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to immediately investigate the killing, apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure that justice is served without delay. The student body also demanded an increased security presence, including regular patrols in Wunti Dada and other off-campus student settlements across Bauchi State.
Appeal to Students
While acknowledging the grief and anger that the tragedy has generated, NANS appealed to students to remain calm, law-abiding, and vigilant. It urged them to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies and the school’s security office.
Maigoro added: “The death of Samuel Mbami is a wake-up call on all stakeholders to act swiftly. Security is a collective responsibility, and we expect immediate, concrete measures to safeguard the lives of students. We will not rest until every student in Bauchi can live and study in a secure environment.”
A Call for Collective Action
The killing of Samuel Mbami has once again drawn attention to the precarious security situation in student host communities in Bauchi. Stakeholders—including the Polytechnic authorities, community leaders, landlords, security agencies, and the students themselves—are now under pressure to take urgent steps to forestall future occurrences.
For NANS, the message is clear: the safety of students cannot be compromised, and the death of Samuel must serve as a rallying point for decisive action.