Authorities at the University of Jos have directed students to vacate campus hostels following a surge in insecurity in parts of Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The directive, issued on Wednesday, comes against the backdrop of rising tension in communities surrounding the institution, prompting fears for student safety.
In an statement signed by the Deputy Registrar for Information and Public Relations, Emmanuel Madugu, the Vice-Chancellor, Tanko Ishaya, approved the immediate evacuation as a precautionary step.
“The Vice Chancellor has directed the immediate evacuation of students from the university hostels in view of the general security situation and the near chaotic scenarios witnessed in areas close to the university,” the statement read.
University authorities explained that the developments observed on Wednesday significantly heightened tension, creating potential risks for students and necessitating urgent action.
To support the evacuation process, the Plateau State Government, led by Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has provided transportation services.
These arrangements include special approval for movement during the ongoing curfew.
“The evacuation is being facilitated by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, who has provided transport services fully authorised to operate within the curfew hours,” the statement added.
According to the outlined plan, students residing within Jos and nearby areas began evacuating from Wednesday afternoon. Those whose families live outside the city are scheduled to leave from Thursday morning.
Despite the emergency measure, the university reassured the public that security within the campus remains intact.
The statement stated that adequate personnel have been deployed to protect hostels and other facilities.
“Adequate security has been deployed to safeguard the hostels and the university at large,” the statement noted.
The Vice-Chancellor further assured that management is actively exploring measures to stabilise the situation and restore normal academic activities as soon as possible.
“Management is exploring all means within its disposal to ensure that the university is safe,” the statement added.
Students and parents have been urged to remain calm and cooperate fully with the evacuation process while authorities continue to assess developments.
The directive followed renewed unrest in Jos shortly after the relaxation of a 48-hour curfew imposed by the state government in response to a deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba.
Reports indicated that sporadic violence has broken out in parts of the city, with unconfirmed accounts of additional casualties.
The situation has triggered panic among residents, with many traders reportedly abandoning their shops and seeking safety.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion as people fled amid fears of further attacks.
Security presence has since been reinforced in affected areas, although officials are yet to release a formal update on the latest incidents.
