7 States Evacuate Over 1,600 Students from UNIJOS Following Plateau Unrest
JOS, NIGERIA — At least seven state governments have coordinated the emergency evacuation of more than 1,630 students from the University of Jos (UNIJOS) following a sharp decline in the security situation in Plateau State.
The mass exodus was triggered by a violent attack on March 29 in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North LGA, where suspected bandits opened fire at a local establishment. The assault resulted in at least 28 deaths and numerous injuries, prompting Governor Caleb Mutfwang to declare the act "barbaric and unprovoked" while imposing a 48-hour curfew on the affected region.
University Operations Suspended
In response to the proximity of the violence, UNIJOS management moved swiftly to ensure student safety:
-
Examinations Halted: All scheduled exams were suspended and rescheduled for after the Easter holidays.
-
Hostel Closure: An immediate evacuation order for all hostels was issued last Wednesday as tensions in the state escalated.
State-Led Rescue Missions
Over the last five days, several state governments deployed secured convoys to retrieve their indigenes. The scale of the evacuation includes:
-
Benue State: Conducted the largest rescue, moving 600 students. Governor Hyacinth Alia emphasized that the decision was a necessary intervention for the "welfare of our future leaders."
-
Nasarawa State: Evacuated 545 students in a joint operation with the Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA).
-
Lagos State: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu dispatched a convoy of buses with armed escorts to bring 230 students back to Lagos.
-
Adamawa State: Facilitated the return of 120 students under heavy security.
-
Bauchi State: Rescued 64 students following a distress call from student union leaders reporting that individuals were trapped in their hostels.
-
Delta & Cross River: Evacuated 34 and 37 students, respectively, citing the university's closure and general instability.
Current Status
While the Plateau State government continues to monitor the situation, the Information Commissioner, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, reaffirmed the administration's commitment to restoring order. For now, the university campus remains largely deserted as students return to their home states pending a formal security clearance to resume academic activities.