A 300-level Computer Science student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), identified only as Kelvin, has reportedly died by suicide amid mounting financial pressure linked to betting, debts, and accommodation-related obligations.
According to Saharareporters, student sources said Kelvin had been struggling with accumulated debts from rent collections and monies he received from other students after promising to secure accommodation for them while schooling.
They said the pressure worsened after he allegedly lost a large sum of money to betting, leaving him unable to remit funds he had collected and to settle other outstanding obligations.
“Before his death he last sent the sum of N100,000 into the account of the landlord assuring him that the network of a virtual bank he was operating is bad and that he will send the rest of the money to him as soon as the network is restored,” a source said.
“He was as of then having N570,000 before transferring the N100,000 in the account of the landlord,” the source added.
It was gathered that Kelvin was residing in an off-campus lodge where the landlord had appointed him caretaker, a role that involved collecting rent from students occupying the facility.
Sources said he came under pressure to remit the rent collected, while also facing demands from students who had given him money for accommodation arrangements.
A former roommate, who requested anonymity, said he and Kelvin lived together during their first year at the university.
“Kelvin was my former roommate actually we stayed together during our first year. That was 2024 but last year he wanted to stay alone so I moved out. Once in a while we chat or meet in school,” he said.
The former roommate said Kelvin had earlier requested help with lodging payments, noting that accommodation was expensive and difficult to secure.
He said he was in Minna when he received the news of Kelvin’s death.
“What I heard from his lodge people in ‘Justice lodge’ at student Villa area of Lapai was that the landlord made him caretaker of the lodge and he was collecting payment on his behalf. I’m not sure of the amount but they said that he used it on a bet,” he said.
He added that the news was difficult for him to believe.
As of press time, the IBBUL management and police authorities had not issued an official statement on the incident.
