UNIJOS verifies fatalities of two students, with three others wounded in Jos violence

The University of Jos has confirmed that two of its students lost their lives in the recent wave of violence in Jos, while three others, including two students and a staff member, were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment in hospital.

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Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tanko Ishaya disclosed this information during a press briefing in Jos on Thursday, where he also stated that the university has no plans to relocate from its current location despite the security challenges it faces.

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The deceased students were identified as Abel Joro Gershon, a 300-level Building student, and Adeyomo Oluwafemi Temitope, a 500-level quantity surveying student, who were killed in separate incidents on April 1 and April 5.

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Abel Joro Gershon was shot in the stomach during the Angwan Rukuba attack and died on April 5 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, after being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, while Adeyomo Oluwafemi Temitope was shot and macheted to death by hoodlums on April 1 along Bauchi Road.

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Adeyomo Oluwafemi Temitope was buried on April 8, according to the vice-chancellor, who provided details of the incidents during the press briefing.

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Those injured in the attacks include Ishaya Patrick, a 300-level Geography and Planning student, who was shot in the leg and is receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

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Longji Molshap Wumnokol, a 300-level geology student, also sustained critical injuries during the April 1 attack along Bauchi Road and is currently receiving medical attention at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

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Duguryil Ufialas Daniel, a staff member of the Directorate of Student Affairs, was shot in the thigh and is currently receiving medical treatment, according to the vice-chancellor.

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The attacks affected a total of five members of the university community, including four students and one staff member, resulting in the deaths of two students and injuries to three others, Prof. Ishaya explained.

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Prof. Ishaya extended condolences to the families of the deceased students and residents of the Angwan Rukuba community, where unknown gunmen reportedly killed more than 30 persons and injured many others during the initial attack.

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The vice-chancellor stressed that the university has no plans to relocate, saying "There are no plans to relocate the institution from its current location, and we are working in collaboration with security operatives to ensure the safety of our students and staff".

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The university had commenced its first semester examinations on March 16 but rescheduled papers slated for March 30 and 31 due to the security breach and the 48-hour curfew imposed by the Plateau State Government in the Jos North Local Government Area.

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Examinations scheduled for April 1 and 2 were also shifted after fresh violence erupted on April 1, and the university later announced that examinations would continue on Monday, April 13, to allow students who travelled to return safely.

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The vice-chancellor explained that the university was never closed, and no directive was issued for the total evacuation of staff and students, adding that normal academic activities resumed on Tuesday, April 7.

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Prof. Ishaya commended the response of security agencies, including visits by the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Sahibu, and the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, E.F. Onyinlola, who assured that the university remains a top security priority.

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He also appreciated the support of neighbouring community leaders in protecting students and called on the media to continue supporting efforts aimed at tackling insecurity affecting the institution.

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The vice-chancellor thanked the Plateau State Government, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard M. Doro, and other stakeholders for their support during the crisis.

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Prof. Ishaya stated that the university has always maintained cordial relations with its host communities, saying "We have never had any instance of our students being at loggerheads with our immediate community, and we will continue to sustain them".

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The vice-chancellor noted that building a strong university requires decades of deliberate investment in infrastructure and human relationships, adding that the university's purpose is not only to serve its students but also to benefit the surrounding community.

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The university management remains committed to dialogue with security agencies and community leaders to address emerging challenges promptly, according to Prof. Ishaya.

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The attacks have heightened tension in Jos, prompting several state governments to evacuate some of their students from the university, according to reports.