A 300-level student of the Department of Computer Science, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, identified as Kelvin Danlami, has reportedly died by suicide after allegedly losing ₦600,000 to gambling.
According to information gathered, the deceased was said to have used money entrusted to him for house rent to place bets, which reportedly resulted in significant financial loss.
A fellow student, who spoke on the incident, disclosed that Danlami’s lifeless body was discovered hanging from the ceiling of his room by one of his neighbours, who immediately raised an alarm and alerted the authorities.
“It is true that one of our fellow students committed suicide after mismanaging the money entrusted to him for house rent due to gambling,” the student said.
Confirming the incident, the Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the victim was rushed to the General Hospital in Lapai, where he was confirmed dead.
According to Abiodun,
“On 19/1/26 at about 10:30am, information received indicated that in the early hours of the day, one Kelvin Danlami, a student of IBBL, was found to have hanged himself in his room with a cloth tied to the ceiling fan.
“One of the student neighbours who discovered the situation raised an alarm, and the victim was rushed to the General Hospital, Lapai, where he was confirmed dead. Police operatives attached to Lapai Division visited the scene, conducted preliminary investigations, and contacted the family of the deceased. Further investigation is ongoing to ascertain the reason for such action.”
The General Secretary of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution, Aliyu Abubakar, also confirmed the incident, describing the development as tragic and deeply saddening.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns over the rising influence of gambling among young people and its impact on students’ mental health and financial stability.
