States evacuate 735 students from UNIJOS over insecurity
State governments have evacuated no fewer than 735 students of the University of Jos following escalating violence and killings in Plateau State.
The Delta State Government evacuated 34 students after the university shut down academic activities due to rising insecurity. At a reception for the returnees, Director of Protocol, Sunday Onoriode, commended the swift intervention approved by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, noting that the exercise was coordinated by the Executive Assistant on Students Affairs, Ezekiel Okoh. He said the move became necessary due to the deteriorating security situation and closure of the institution, expressing relief that all students returned safely.
Okoh earlier stated that the evacuation followed a directive issued after the university announced a temporary shutdown over security concerns. A student representative and Vice President of the National Association of Delta State Students (NADESSTU), UNIJOS chapter, Newton Miracle, described the exercise as challenging but timely.
Similarly, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu facilitated the rescue of 37 students. His Special Assistant on Student Affairs, Joseph-Kelvin Enyam, said the directive to evacuate the students was immediate after distress calls over killings and insecurity. He added that he led a team, alongside the Senate President of NACRISS Worldwide, to Jos, evacuating students from high-risk areas, including Angwan Rukuba, under security escort.
Earlier, Benue and Bauchi states evacuated 664 students from the institution—600 from Benue and 64 from Bauchi.
The evacuations followed a terrorist attack on Angwan Rukuba community on Palm Sunday, which left over 24 people dead and several others injured after armed men attacked residents in Jos North.
Following the attack, the university management postponed first semester examinations and ordered the evacuation of students from hostels and surrounding areas effective Thursday, April 2, 2026.
In a related development, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has also ordered the evacuation of Kogi students from the institution as a precautionary measure.
