Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Niger State Police Command has arrested a nursing student, Stella Joseph, in connection with the sudden death of Otori Abdulfatai Aiyede, a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, whose collapse and death in Minna have raised serious questions and triggered a police investigation.
The incident occurred on Monday, January 27, 2026, when the deceased reportedly travelled from Bida to Minna, Niger State’s capital, to visit Stella Joseph at her residence on Niteco Road, Tunga area of the city. According to police accounts, the visit was social in nature, with the lecturer said to have gone to introduce himself formally.
Police sources disclosed that during the visit, the lecturer was served a meal consisting of spaghetti and egg. Shortly after consuming the food, he allegedly began to convulse, collapsed within the premises, and was rushed to the General Hospital, Minna, where medical personnel confirmed him dead on arrival.
The sudden death immediately prompted suspicion, leading to the involvement of the police. Initial confusion surrounded the professional affiliation of the deceased, as some reports claimed he was a lecturer at Newgate University, Minna. However, the management of the private institution publicly denied any association with him. Subsequent confirmation by multiple sources, including information obtained by DAILY POST, established that Otori Abdulfatai Aiyede was a lecturer with the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the police received a distress report at about 10:00 a.m. on the day of the incident. According to him, the report indicated that the deceased had visited a friend, identified as Stella Joseph, and fell critically ill shortly after eating food served to him.
SP Abiodun explained that officers responded promptly, but by the time the victim was taken to the hospital, he had already passed away. He confirmed that Stella Joseph was arrested to assist with investigations, stressing that the arrest was necessary given the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The victim was taken to the General Hospital, Minna, where he was confirmed dead. The suspect has been arrested, and the body has been deposited for medical examination to ascertain the actual cause of death,” the police spokesperson said.
He further disclosed that the deceased’s family members have been formally notified, while investigators are awaiting the outcome of a post-mortem examination, which is expected to determine whether poisoning or any other medical or external factor caused the lecturer’s death.
The police have urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation as investigations continue. They stressed that no conclusion has been reached and that the suspect remains innocent until proven otherwise under the law.
The development has sparked widespread concern across Bida and Minna, particularly within academic and student communities, with colleagues and acquaintances of the deceased describing him as calm and dedicated. The case has also reignited public discourse around unexplained deaths, interpersonal relationships, and the importance of thorough forensic investigations in such cases.
The Niger State Police Command assured that it would conduct a transparent and professional investigation, promising to make its findings public once medical and forensic reports are concluded.
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