Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a developing humanitarian situation tied to escalating violence in Jos, Plateau State, Isa Emmanuel Garba, President of the Law Students Association, University of Jos (UNIJOS) chapter, has issued a fervent appeal to the Nasarawa State Government for additional evacuation vehicles to help students safely leave the crisis-affected city. His call underscores mounting logistical challenges and the mounting anxiety within the student body as Nigeria’s federal and state authorities struggle to manage a widening security and humanitarian crisis centred on the university and its environs.
The crisis has unfolded over recent days after a deadly attack in the Angwan Rukuba community of Jos North Local Government Area, where gunmen opened fire late on Sunday evening, killing at least 28 people and injuring dozens more. The violence triggered widespread fear among residents, including a significant population of UNIJOS students who live in hostels on and off campus. In response, university authorities suspended scheduled examinations and ordered an emergency evacuation of all students from campus accommodation to prevent further loss of life.
On April 1, 2026, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tanko Ishaya directed students to immediately vacate their hostels as fresh unrest was reported across parts of the city, including near the university grounds, prompting fears of escalating violence. Under the evacuation plan, students whose parents or guardians reside within Jos and its environs were asked to begin leaving from Wednesday afternoon, while those from outside the city were scheduled to be moved starting Thursday morning. Plateau State has authorised vehicles — even to operate within active curfew hours — to carry students to safe locations, such as the Old Airport Roundabout, as part of this effort.
Despite the government-organised transport, many students still found themselves stranded due to limited vehicular resources and widespread insecurity disrupting movement and communication. In that context, Garba made a public plea to the Nasarawa authorities — whose state borders Plateau and hosts many UNIJOS students — urging them to dispatch more evacuation vehicles and assist with the safe transport of students from Jos to safer areas or directly to their homes. Social media posts attributed to Garba noted that available vehicles were not adequate to meet the pressing needs of all students seeking evacuation.
In parallel to Garba’s appeal, the Nasarawa State Government, in collaboration with its student association, has already begun evacuating Nasarawa indigenes studying at UNIJOS. Vehicles sent by the state arrived in Jos on Wednesday to move these students out of harm’s way. However, reports from student representatives indicate that the process has faced challenges, including delays in vehicle arrivals and the inability to evacuate all students effectively with the existing fleet. These developments have fuelled calls for a more robust and better-coordinated evacuation strategy.
The Plateau State Government has also been actively involved in the evacuation effort. Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang authorised the use of transport to help convey students during scheduled movements, with vehicles permitted to run even during curfew restrictions imposed in the wake of the violence. Security forces were deployed to safeguard both the university campuses and evacuation routes amidst reports that hoodlums attacked motorists and residents in various parts of Jos when curfew restrictions were temporarily relaxed.
The security situation in Jos has deteriorated over consecutive weeks, marked by a pattern of attacks that have unsettled communities and prompted repeated emergency responses from officials. The deadly incident in Angwan Rukuba not only triggered the evacuation but also reignited longstanding fears of broader conflict in Plateau State, which has experienced cycles of violence over decades. The state government’s initial 48-hour curfew was intended to stem further unrest but was later relaxed, coinciding with reports of renewed hostile activities in neighbourhoods linked to student housing and commercial areas.
Amid these tensions, key national figures have also engaged with the crisis. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Jos to assess the security situation and reassure affected communities. His visit, which was backed by senior federal officials and local authorities, emphasised federal support for victims and condemnation of the violence. The President reiterated directives to security agencies to pursue perpetrators and cautioned against communal narratives that could inflame tensions further.
Adding to the complexity of the emergency, other student groups have made similar appeals. The National Union of Taraba State Students at UNIJOS, for example, petitioned their state government to facilitate evacuation logistics for Taraba students at the university, citing rising fear and concern for safety. This broader mobilisation points to a shared sense of vulnerability among students from multiple states.
Humanitarian concerns have compounded these developments. With thousands of students enrolled at the University of Jos — one of Nigeria’s largest federal institutions with over 50,000 students — the scale of the evacuation posed a monumental logistical task. Many students were seen carrying belongings and lining up at assembly points as they awaited departure buses, while others reported limited information about evacuation schedules and destinations. Families expressed deep anxiety over communication breakdowns and the safety of loved ones amid intermittent access to transport resources.
The violence and subsequent evacuation also disrupted normal life in Jos, where commercial activities were halted, banks shut offices, and residents remained cautious as security agencies worked to restore order. Reports indicate that the unrest was not limited to the university area, with several business districts and residential neighbourhoods affected by clashes and spontaneous unrest.
In response to these unprecedented challenges, student bodies, alumni groups and legal associations have been vocal in their support for broader security and evacuation measures. The University of Jos Alumni Association called on authorities to deploy more security personnel, enhance patrols and monitor major routes to prevent further threats to students and residents. Meanwhile, legal professional groups condemned the violence and urged swift action to bring perpetrators to justice, highlighting the broader implications for rule of law and civil protection.
As the evacuation continues, Garba’s appeal highlights an urgent need for enhanced coordination among neighbouring state governments, federal agencies and student organisations to ensure the safety of all students affected by the crisis in Jos. With vehicles in earlier deployments struggling to meet demand, the success of future evacuation efforts may depend on broader resource allocation and swift logistical planning to reach stranded students before security conditions worsen further.
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