At least seven state governments have evacuated 1,630 students from the University of Jos (UNIJOS) following escalating security concerns in Plateau State. On March 29, suspected bandits struck a popular bar in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North LGA, shooting sporadically, with at least 28 people confirmed dead and several left injured afterwards.

The attack sparked outrage on social media, prompting the state government to impose a 48-hour curfew in the affected local government. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the Information Commissioner, said Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unprovoked”.

Due to its proximity to the affected community, the management of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) suspended all examinations scheduled for the week, rescheduling them until after the Easter celebration.

The university also ordered immediate evacuation of students from its hostels on Wednesday last week as tension heightened in the state. Following the directive, about seven state governments have evacuated their indigenes from the university over the past five days. Yesterday, the Delta State Government announced the evacuation of 34 indigenes of the state over security concerns.

According to Sunday Onoriode, the State Director of Protocol, the evacuation became necessary following the closure of the university by its management. On Sunday, the Lagos State Government also said it had evacuated over 230 students citing the worsening security situation.

In a statement, Mamud Hassan, Director of Public Affairs at the state Ministry of Tertiary Education, said Governor Babajide SanwoOlu deployed a convoy of buses with security escorts to facilitate the safe return of affected students to Lagos.

On Saturday, Adamawa state also evacuated about 120 indigenes from the university. Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, said the evacuation was conducted under heavy security.