Full academic activities are set to resume at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) following a return to calm after the deadly March 29 attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Plateau State.
The incident, which claimed more than 30 lives, also affected members of the university community, with two students confirmed dead and several others injured.
Vice-Chancellor Tanko Ishaya disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday, noting that the violence had a direct impact on students and staff.
“The aftermath of the killings left over 25 persons dead, and so many with various degrees of injuries,” he said, while sympathising with families of the victims.
He added, “We unfortunately lost two of our dear students,” revealing that others, including a staff member, are currently receiving treatment for gunshot and related injuries.
The deceased students, identified as Abel Joro Gershon and Adeyomo Oluwafemi Temitope, were killed in separate incidents connected to the crisis.
The attack on Angwan Rukuba, a host community to many students and staff, led to the imposition of a curfew in Jos North Local Government Area.
This development forced the university to suspend and reschedule its ongoing first-semester examinations.
Ishaya explained that examinations scheduled from March 30 into early April were postponed in compliance with security directives, a situation further complicated by renewed violence along Bauchi Road on April 1.
“In tandem with the security measures, the university management decided to reschedule examinations… to safeguard the lives of our staff and students,” he stated.
He also expressed concern over 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 said.
“However, the process of evacuating students heightened fears that the campuses were insecure.”
Despite the unrest in surrounding communities, the vice-chancellor maintained that all campuses of the institution 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 responded promptly to protect lives and property.
He further revealed that senior security officials, including military and police authorities, visited the university to strengthen safety measures and reassure the academic community.
With normalcy gradually returning, 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.”
The development highlights the growing impact of insecurity on academic institutions, disrupting learning and exposing students to risks beyond campus boundaries.
The university management extended condolences to the families of the deceased and called for sustained collaboration among government, security agencies, host communities, and the media to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
