The University of Jos has confirmed the deaths of two of its students following recent violent incidents in Jos.
Three others, including two students and a staff member, sustained injuries and are receiving treatment in hospital.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tanko Ishaya disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing in Jos, emphasizing that the university has no plans to relocate despite the ongoing security challenges.
The deceased were identified as Abel Joro Gershon, a 300-level Building Technology student who was shot in the stomach during the Angwan Rukuba attack.
He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital, where he died on April 5, and was later buried on April 8.
The second victim, Adeyomo Oluwafemi Temitope, a 500-level Quantity Surveying student, was reportedly shot and macheted to death by hoodlums on April 1 outside the campus along Bauchi Road, according to the vice-chancellor.
Those injured include Ishaya Patrick, a 300-level Geography and Planning student shot in the leg and receiving treatment at JUTH; Longji Molshap Wumnokol, a 300-level Geology student critically injured on April 1 along Bauchi Road, initially stabilised at Ola Hospital before being transferred to JUTH; and Duguryil Ufialas Daniel, a staff member of the Directorate of Student Affairs shot in the thigh and currently receiving medical attention.
According to Prof. Ishaya, the attacks affected five members of the university community, four students and one staff member, resulting in two deaths and three injuries.
Extending condolences to the families of the deceased students and residents of Angwan Rukuba, he said, “There are no plans to relocate the institution from its current location. We are working in collaboration with security operatives to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”
The vice-chancellor also outlined the impact of the attacks on university activities.
The first semester examinations, which commenced on March 16, were rescheduled for March 30 and 31 following the security breach and a 48-hour curfew imposed by the Plateau State Government in Jos North Local Government Area.
Exams scheduled for April 1 and 2 were also shifted after fresh violence erupted on April 1.
Management later aligned the resumption of examinations with the end of the Easter break, announcing that exams would continue on Monday, April 13, to allow students who had travelled to return safely.
He stressed that the university was never closed and no directive was issued for the evacuation of staff and students.
“While management advised students who wished to travel for the Easter break to make use of available buses, the uncoordinated arrival of vehicles from different state governments and organisations created unnecessary panic. Many students remained both on and off campus, adding that there was no breach of the campus and no staff member on campus was evacuated,” Prof. Ishaya said.
Normal academic activities resumed on Tuesday, April 7. The vice-chancellor commended the prompt response of security agencies, including visits from the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Sahibu, and the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, E.F. Onyinlola, who assured that UNIJOS remains a top security priority.
He also expressed appreciation to leaders of neighbouring communities for protecting students and called on the media to continue supporting efforts to tackle insecurity affecting the institution.
Prof. Ishaya thanked the Plateau State Government led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Bernard M. Doro, the management of JUTH and Ola Hospital, security agencies, and well-meaning Plateau indigenes for their support during the crisis.
Highlighting the university’s longstanding relationship with its host communities, he said, “We have never had any instance of our students being at loggerheads with our immediate community. We have had cordial relations, and we will continue to sustain them.”
He further explained that the university maintains regular engagement with security agencies to protect students, staff, and residents in surrounding communities.
“The essence of this university is not only for the students who come here. It is also to ensure that the immediate community is involved socially, economically and in overall development,” Prof. Ishaya added.
He concluded by reaffirming the university’s commitment to dialogue with security agencies and community leaders to address emerging challenges promptly.
The recent attacks have heightened tension in Jos, prompting several state governments to evacuate some of their students from UNIJOS.
