A 400-level student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, Isma’il Ishaq Magaji, has died after reportedly being struck by a stray bullet during a land dispute in his hometown.

Magaji, a student of the Department of Public Administration, was hit during the incident in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area of the state.

The university confirmed the death in a statement issued by its Deputy Registrar, Information, Alhaji Baba Akote, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lapai on Saturday.

According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Sulaiman, expressed sympathy to Magaji’s family, friends, classmates and associates over the incident.

Sulaiman described the student’s death as a painful and distressing loss to the university community.

He also prayed for Allah’s forgiveness for the deceased, eternal rest for his soul and strength for his family and loved ones to cope with the loss.

The Vice-Chancellor urged communities involved in the land dispute to pursue dialogue and exercise restraint, stressing the need for peaceful coexistence to avert further deaths and bloodshed.

There was no immediate confirmation of the incident from the police as of the time of filing this report.