At least seven state governments have evacuated no fewer than 1,630 students from the University of Jos following rising security concerns in Plateau State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the evacuations come in the wake of the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North LGA, where suspected bandits opened fire at a popular bar, killing at least 28 people and injuring several others.
The incident triggered widespread outrage and prompted the state government to impose a 48-hour curfew in the affected area. The state commissioner for information, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, said Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attack as “barbaric and unprovoked”.
Amid the heightened tension, the university suspended examinations scheduled for the week and ordered the immediate evacuation of students from hostels.
Following the directive, several state governments moved to evacuate their indigenes from the institution over the past five days.
The Delta State government on Monday confirmed the evacuation of 34 students. According to Sunday Onoriode, the state’s director of protocol, the move became necessary after the university’s closure.
Earlier, the Lagos State government announced it had evacuated more than 230 students due to the worsening security situation. In a statement, Mamud Hassan, director of public affairs at the state ministry of tertiary education, said Governor Babajide Sanwo–Olu deployed buses with security escorts to ensure their safe return.
On Saturday, Adamawa State evacuated about 120 students, with Humwashi Wonosikou, chief press secretary to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, noting the exercise was carried out under tight security.
The Cross River State government also confirmed the evacuation of 37 students, according to Joseph-Kelvin Enyam, special assistant on student affairs to the governor.
Similarly, the Benue State government evacuated 600 students. In a statement, Tersoo Kula, spokesperson to Governor Hyacinth Alia, quoted the governor as saying, “This decision became necessary as it concerns the lives and welfare of our people, especially the future leaders studying outside the state”.
The Bauchi State government evacuated 64 students, with the commissioner for higher education, Hadiza Kango, stating that the action followed a distress call from the National Union of Bauchi State Students.
Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State government evacuated 545 students in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA), three days after the attack.
The coordinated evacuations highlight growing concerns over student safety as insecurity persists in parts of the country.
