On February 23, 2025, police fired tear gas at students from Federal University, Dutsin Ma (FUDMA) who were protesting against the killing of one of their classmates during a traffic violation.

The students blocked the main road near the university, burned tires in the street, and chanted slogans demanding justice for their deceased classmate. The police responded with tear gas.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a student protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Students must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://zagazola.org/index.php/breaking-news/student-protest-erupts-at-federal-university-dutsin-ma-over-killing-of-colleague
https://leadership.ng/outrage-in-katsina-as-fudma-students-protest-killing-of-colleague-by-vigilantes/
https://freedomsquaretv.com/university-student-shot-dead-by-civilian-joint-task-force-cjtf-in-katsina/
https://thereportersnews.com.ng/a-bullet-a-student-and-the-fragile-line-between-security-and-tragedy/