BREAKING: A 300-level Computer Science student of IBB University, Lapai, identified as Kelvin, has reportedly died by suicide after losing a large sum of money to online betting and accumulating heavy debts.

Sources say he was a lodge caretaker entrusted with collecting rent, which he allegedly used for betting. He was also said to be under pressure over unpaid rents and debts from accommodation deals with fellow students. Authorities and the university are yet to issue official statements.

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Who Is Illegally Selling Hostel Spaces at IBB University? Why IBBUL Is Warning Students, Investigating Racketeers, and Threatening Sanctions Over Exploitation of Freshers

Who is behind the illegal sale of hostel spaces at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBUL), Lapai—and how are unsuspecting students being exploited? Why has the university stepped in with stern warnings, investigations, and threats of punishment? And what does this mean for students struggling to secure accommodation amid rising demand?

IBB University, Niger State, has raised the alarm over what it describes as a growing and disturbing practice in which individuals and organised groups allegedly hijack hostel spaces and resell them to students at inflated prices. According to the institution, these activities typically target vulnerable students—especially freshers—who are desperate for accommodation at the beginning of academic sessions when hostel demand is highest.

In a statement issued by the Deputy Registrar (Information), Alhaji Baba Akote, the university condemned the practice as exploitative and fraudulent. He explained that some individuals deliberately secure official hostel allocations only to turn around and sell them illegally at exorbitant rates, effectively profiting from students’ desperation and undermining the university’s accommodation system.

How exactly does the scheme work? The university says these groups identify periods of high demand, corner available hostel spaces, and then offer them to students at prices far above approved rates—often misleading students into believing the transactions are legitimate. For many new students unfamiliar with campus processes, the trap is easy to fall into.

What action is the university taking? IBBUL has directed its Student Affairs Division to launch a full investigation aimed at identifying and exposing those involved. University authorities insist that the matter will not be treated lightly and that all culprits will be held accountable.

What are the consequences? In a strong warning, the management made it clear that both sellers and buyers of illegally traded hostel spaces will face disciplinary action. The university says “stringent measures” are being prepared to deter the practice and restore transparency and fairness in the hostel allocation process.

But will this crackdown be enough to end racketeering on campus? As students continue to grapple with accommodation shortages, many are asking whether the investigation will uncover the networks behind the scheme—and whether enforcement will finally stop the exploitation that has quietly flourished for years.

At the heart of the issue lies a pressing question for students and parents alike: can universities protect their communities from internal profiteering, or will desperate housing needs continue to be used as a tool for exploitation?

In a remarkable display of integrity, a Nigerian woman identified as Aisha Isah Yelwa, has returned N330 million mistakenly credited to her bank account. 
 
Mrs. Yelwa, a petty trader based in Lapai, Niger State, revealed that she discovered the unusual balance in her First Bank account at about 3:49pm on Monday, December 29, 2025. 

According to her, the discovery came days after she had lodged complaints with the bank over repeated debits linked to loans she previously obtained to sustain her business.

She explained that while checking her account to confirm whether the debiting issue had been resolved, she was shocked to see an amount she had never handled in her life. 

She noted that there was no credit alert, no transaction narration, and no identifiable source of the funds.

“In order to be sure it wasn’t a display error, I made a transaction of N1 million from the account, and there was still no credit alert. That was when I became more confused and worried," she told Lapai TV. 

Mrs. Yelwa said she remained silent until Tuesday morning, when she visited the Lapai branch of First Bank to formally report the anomaly. 

She said the branch manager commended her honesty after confirming that the funds were the result of a system error and immediately took steps to reverse the transaction.

Despite her action, Mrs. Yelwa disclosed that she faced criticism from some members of the public who questioned her decision to return the money, rather than praising her integrity.

To protect herself legally, she said she went to the bank with a lawyer to ensure proper documentation of the process. 

According to her, the bank assured her that she bore no liability and would only be contacted if further clarification was required.

Reflecting on the incident, Mrs. Yelwa said she felt fulfilled doing the right thing, describing the act as a matter of integrity and concern for her children’s future.

Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet Crashes in Niger State, Two Pilots Survive

A Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet crashed near Karabonde in Borgu LGA of Niger State on Saturday. The incident was first reported by Lapai TV, which shared a video confirming the survival of the two pilots involved. The NAF has not yet issued an official statement regarding the cause of the crash or the mission details. A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed smoke rising from the crash site, leaving residents worried as they await further clarification from authorities.

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BREAKING: Residents in Shiroro LGA, Niger State, say they pay ₦7 million to bandits just to live in their homes and farm in peace.

Community leader Alh. Yahaya say that villages like Makera, Galapai, Chukuba & others are under bandit control — with each married man contributing to the payment.

He says security patrols have stopped, leaving locals to NEGOTIATE their safety directly with bandit groups.

Residents plead for urgent government action to protect lives and property.

Man arrested after disguising as woman to gain entry into female hostel.

A male student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), was reportedly apprehended after disguising as a woman in an attempt to sneak into the female hostel.

The incident, which occurred on campus, caused a stir among students before security personnel intervened and caught the suspect.

Man arrested after disguising as woman to gain entry into female hostel
Man nabbed trying to enter female hostel.

Man plays ‘dressup’
It was gathered that the man had reportedly tried to gain entrance into the female hostel while wearing a lady’s dress.

However he was caught and bundled out by the security men.

Security sets him free

It was further alleged that after his apprehension, he was sent to the security office where he was grilled and later set free.

He was seen in the trending video still wearing the female clothing and being ferried away on a bike while some aggrieved menfolk tried to have a go at him.

Postgraduate Student Arrested for Criticising Niger Governor on Facebook.

A postgraduate student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), Abubakar Isah Mokwa, has been arrested by the police for allegedly criticising Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State on Facebook.

Mokwa, a student of the Department of Agricultural Economy and Extension, was picked up by police from his off-campus residence in Lapai on Thursday.

Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said Mokwa was detained following a complaint bordering on cyber-related offences.

“The Niger State Police Command received a criminal complaint bordering on cyber bullying, cyber stalking and other Cybercrime related offences against one Abubakar Isah Mokwa, 29yrs, of Mokwa, and a postgraduate student of IBBUL,” Abiodun said.

He added that the suspect was “invited and arrested by the Lapai Division on 23rd October, 2025, at about 11pm and transferred to the State Police Command Headquarters, Minna for further investigation.”

According to him, “the suspect is in custody and further development will be made public.”

This arrest adds to a growing list of incidents involving the Niger State government and critics of Governor Bago.

In August, the state government suspended Badegi 90.1 FM, an independent radio station in Minna, over alleged criticism of the governor.

Reacting to the latest arrest, the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria condemned what it described as “a growing pattern of repression against the press under Governor Bago’s leadership.”

“In January 2025, Yakubu Mustapha, the Niger State correspondent for Peoples Daily and Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ, was detained for three days after allegedly circulating an article critical of the governor’s media adviser,” IPI recalled.

“Similarly, in November 2023, Mustapha Nasiru Batsari, the Niger State correspondent of the Voice of America (VOA), was reportedly assaulting by a commissioner in Governor Bago’s cabinet after requesting an interview regarding a violent clash between farmers in Beji,” it added.

EFCC arrests 19 suspected internet fraudsters in Niger State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kaduna Zonal Directorate, has arrested 19 suspected internet fraudsters in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.

The suspects are 18 males and one female, who were arrested on Friday, September 19, 2025, after credible intelligence connects them to cybercrime activities.

Security analyst, Zagazola Makama, revealed that the seized items from the suspects included a Honda Civic, 33 mobile phones, five laptops, a power generator, three Bluetooth speakers, a white calabash and other fetish objects.

According to the EFCC, the suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded.