By Felix Durumbah, Abuja
The violence in Angwar Rukuba axis of Jos, the Plateau State capital, deteriorated today with tension also rising in and around the landmark University of Jos (UNIJOS).
Several persons were reportedly killed and Injured on Palm Sunday in Angwar Rukuba following terrorist attacks which targeted residents of the Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) community.
The State government imposed a curfew on Jos to stem the blood flow and end the crisis.
People&Politics was told, however, that as the crisis escalated and hit UNIJOS, panic and tension heightened among students and staff of the university community.
Sources said members of the university community watched aghast as scores of armed youths engaged in bloody skirmishes around the University gate with many sustaining severe injuries.
They reportedly used dangerous weapons such as daggers, clubs normally deployed for cattle, sticks, big stones, knives and others.
Trails of blood were visible on the ground, another source added.
Death and injury tolls were unknown,as of press time, even as many residents of the university community were frightened to step outside the campus.
Inside the university, the paper was told, “great fear” was rife that the spiralling violence outside could blow over into the campus, with possible deadly consequences -a development the UNIJOS authorities dread.
As the situation deteriorated, scared students began to plot ways to escape for their lives, pressure consequently being mounted on the authorities “to do something.”
People&Politics learned that an evacuation exercise was thereafter designed, to begin today.
However, a final year student told People&Politics, that “due to the curfew, it was shifted to tomorrow, Thursday, 2 April.”
Moving quickly to safeguard the students’ lives, the university authorities today issued a circular to members of the campus community.
A copy of the circular, obtained by People&Politics, titled ‘Evacuation of Students from University Hostels’, was signed by Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Mr Emmanuel Madugu, on behalf of the Registrar.
It read, in full: “In view of the general security situation in Jos, and particularly the near chaotic scenarios that unfolded today (Wednesday 1st April 2026), in areas near the University which heightened tensions and threatened the safety of students in the hostels, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tanko Ishaya has directed the immediate evacuation of students of the University from the hostels.
“The evacuation is facilitated by HE Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, who has provided transport services, fully authorised to carry out the assignment even within the curfew hours.
“The evacuation schedule is as follows:
“1. WEDNESDAY 1ST APRIL, 2026, FROM 3 PM. Students who live within Jos and environs (ONLY).
“2. THURSDAY 2ND APRIL 2026, FROM 8 AM. Students whose parents/guardians live outside Jos and environs.
“3. Adequate security has been put in place to protect the hostels and University at large.
“For Enquiries on the evacuation, please call 08035895323 08033848145.
“The Vice Chancellor assures the University community that Management is exploring all means within its disposal to ensure that the University is safe.
“Further relevant updates will be communicated as Management directs.
“In fragile times like these, may our confidence in the LORD be steadfast.
“Thank you.”
