Academic activities at University of Jos (UNIJOS) are set to resume fully following a return to calm after the March 29 attack on Angwan Rukuba in Plateau State, which left more than 33 people dead, including two students of the institution.
Gatekeepers News reports that Vice-Chancellor Tanko Ishaya confirmed the development during a press briefing, noting that the violence had a direct impact on the university community, with two students killed and three others injured.
“The aftermath of the killings left over 25 persons dead, and so many with various degrees of injuries,” he said on Thursday while sympathising with affected families.
“We unfortunately lost two of our dear students,” Ishaya added, disclosing that others, including a staff member, are receiving treatment for gunshot and related injuries.
The deceased students, Abel Joro Gershon and Adeyomo Oluwafemi Temitope, were reportedly killed in separate incidents linked to the crisis.
The attack on Angwan Rukuba, a host community to many students and staff, led to a government-imposed curfew in Jos North Local Government Area, forcing the university to suspend and reschedule its ongoing first-semester examinations.
Ishaya explained that examinations scheduled between March 30 and early April were postponed in compliance with security directives, a disruption further compounded by renewed violence on April 1 along Bauchi Road.
“In tandem with the security measures, the university management decided to reschedule examinations… to safeguard the lives of our staff and students,” he said.
He also criticised the evacuation of students by some state governments and organisations, describing the move as counterproductive.
“Management made it clear that the university was not closed,” he stated. “However, the process of evacuating students heightened fears that the campuses were insecure.”
Despite the unrest in surrounding areas, the vice-chancellor maintained that the university campuses remained safe throughout the crisis.
“Let me state clearly that since the beginning of the crisis, no single breach of the peace was recorded on any of our campuses,” he said, adding that security agencies acted swiftly to protect the institution.
He further disclosed that senior military and police officials visited the university to reinforce security and reassure both students and staff.
With calm now restored, the university has fixed April 13 for the continuation of examinations.
“As we speak, campus security has been greatly enhanced,” Ishaya assured. “I want to assure students and parents that security has been beefed up on campus… and in the entire city of Jos.”
While normalcy gradually returns, the incident highlights the growing impact of insecurity on academic institutions, disrupting learning and exposing students to risks beyond campus environments.
The university management also extended condolences to the families of the victims and called for sustained collaboration among government, security agencies, host communities, and the media to prevent a recurrence.
