Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, has confirmed the death of a final-year student, Isma'il Ishaq Magaji, who was struck by a stray bullet during a land dispute in Wawa community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Magaji was a 400-level student in the university's Department of Public Administration.

The institution confirmed his death in a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, by its Deputy Registrar for Information, Baba Akote.

According to the university, the student was in his hometown of Wawa when he was hit by a stray bullet amid a dispute involving communities in the area.

Reports from the community indicate that the incident occurred on Thursday, September 17.

The university did not identify the person who fired the shot that struck Magaji.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including who discharged the firearm and whether the bullet came from security personnel or another person, have not been officially established.

Earlier accounts linked the incident to gunfire during a security operation following the land dispute, but those details require confirmation from the relevant security authorities.

In its statement, the university expressed sadness over the student's death.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammed Sulaiman extended condolences to Magaji's family, friends, classmates and other members of the university community.

He also appealed to the communities involved in the dispute to embrace dialogue and avoid further violence.

The university called for restraint and peaceful coexistence, warning that unresolved disagreements should not lead to additional loss of life.

The reported incident has raised concerns about the safety of residents caught near armed confrontations and the need to establish the circumstances surrounding deaths attributed to stray bullets.

Magaji's death also adds a personal tragedy to the wider impact of the land dispute on affected families and communities.

As of the reports reviewed, there was no publicly available police finding identifying the person responsible for the fatal shot.

Further information from investigators will be necessary to establish what happened and whether any individual or agency bears legal responsibility.