The Vice Chancellor of University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Shaya, has confirmed the tragic loss of two students following the recent wave of violence that swept through parts of Jos North Local Government Area in Plateau State.
Shaya made this known during a press briefing on Thursday in Jos, shedding light on the toll the unrest has taken on the university community.
The violence, which erupted on March 29, saw gunmen storm Angwan Rukuba, a settlement known to accommodate a large number of university staff and students. The attack left several people dead and many others injured, sparking widespread fear.
In response, the state government swiftly imposed a 48-hour curfew. However, like embers refusing to die out, the unrest flared up again in surrounding communities once the restrictions were eased on April 1.
Providing further details, the Vice Chancellor revealed that aside from the two fatalities, four students and one staff member sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals.
He named the deceased as Abel Gershon, a 300-level student in the Building Department, and Adeyomo Temitope, a 500-level student in the Quantity Surveying Department.
“Abel Gershon was shot in his stomach on March 29 and was at the Intensive Care Unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), unfortunately, he died on Sunday, April 5.
“Adeyomo Temitope left the campus alone on April 1 and found himself in violence area of Bauchi Road, he was shot and macheted to death by hoodlums.
“So, we have a total of five members of the university community affected by the incident; four students and one staff member,” he said.
Shaya extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, while expressing optimism that those hospitalised were responding positively to treatment.
Despite the grim development, the Vice Chancellor affirmed that the institution would resume academic activities on April 13 as scheduled, stressing that adequate security arrangements had been put in place across the campus and adjoining communities.
He reassured parents and guardians that the university remains secure, noting that none of its campuses had been directly attacked since the crisis began in Plateau.
Shaya also urged parents to ensure their children return promptly to complete their first semester examinations and transition into the next academic session without further delay.
