A 200-level student of the Department of History and International Studies at Lagos State University (LASU), Joseph Otabor, has died after battling injuries he sustained during an armed robbery attack in the Iba area of Lagos State.
Otabor was reportedly attacked on May 29, 2026, at Peace Estate, located around the First Gate axis of the university community.
Sources familiar with the incident said the undergraduate suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen during the attack and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.
According to information gathered, the area where the incident occurred has long been associated with criminal activities targeting students and residents.
A university source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, disclosed that the attackers allegedly attempted to dispossess the student of his mobile phone during the nighttime operation.
Another student, identified simply as Ike, said Joseph Otabor was with a group of friends when suspected armed robbers struck.
“He and some of his friends were attacked by individuals believed to be armed robbers. He was taken to the hospital for treatment, but sadly passed away on Tuesday,” the student said.
A student leader, who also declined to be named, provided further details, explaining that the incident happened around 9 p.m. at the Estate Gate Bus Stop.
According to the student leader, Otabor and three friends were waiting to board a commercial vehicle when the assailants arrived on a motorcycle. One of the attackers allegedly dismounted, brandished a firearm and confronted the group.
While the other students reportedly managed to escape, Otabor was unable to flee and was forced to surrender his phone.
The attackers allegedly demanded access to his device and pressured him to authorise financial transfers.
The source claimed that when the student refused to comply, he was shot before the robbers fled the scene.
Following the attack, Otabor was initially taken to Igando General Hospital and later transferred to the intensive care unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he underwent multiple surgical procedures and intensive medical care.
Despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life, he eventually succumbed to his injuries several days later.
In a statement released on Thursday, LASU management confirmed the student’s death and expressed condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
The institution stated that Otabor and his companions were attacked off-campus and noted that university officials immediately intervened after learning about the incident.
The Acting Dean of Students’ Affairs was said to have coordinated support efforts, kept the university administration informed and maintained communication with healthcare providers throughout the student’s treatment.
The university also pledged full cooperation with security agencies investigating the attack, expressing hope that those responsible would be identified and prosecuted.
The tragic incident has revived concerns over security in the university environment. Observers note that this is not the first time a LASU student has lost his life in a robbery-related attack.
In 2021, student activist Yusuf Nurudeen, popularly known as Omomeewa, was reportedly shot dead near the university gate in circumstances similar to the latest incident, sparking widespread calls for improved security measures around the campus community.
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