A 300-level student of the department of Computer Science in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, Kelvin Danlami, has reportedly killed himself after losing N600,000, put his care, to betting.
According to residents, a neighbour discovered the student in his room and immediately raised the alarm.
It was gathered from sources within the university that the money was entrusted to the deceased for safekeeping, but he allegedly diverted it into gambling, where it was lost.
Students and residents around the campus described the incident as devastating, saying the young man was full of promise and had shown no obvious signs of distress in the days leading up to his death.
A student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident had left many undergraduates in shock.
“It is true that one of our fellow students died after losing money that was entrusted to him due to gambling.
“He was taken to a hospital in Lapai, where medical personnel confirmed his death”, the student said.
The Niger state Police Command confirmed the development, stating that officers responded promptly after receiving information about the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said preliminary investigations had commenced and the family of the deceased had been contacted.
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the university also confirmed the death, describing it as tragic and deeply painful for the campus community.
Aliyu Abubakar, the SUG General Secretary, said the union was engaging the university management on the need for greater student support.
“This is a tragic loss. We have lost one of our own, and the entire campus is grieving,” he said. “We must take student welfare and mental health more seriously.”
