Tension has reached a new peak in Jos, Plateau State days before the Easter celebrations.
This comes as violence broke out in some parts of Jos hours after the state government relaxed a 48-hour curfew.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that tension escalated in Jos after gunmen attacked residents of Angwan Rukuba in Jos, leaving at least 28 people dead.
Following the attack, the state government imposed a 48-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
However, the state government eased the curfew earlier imposed on Jos North.
Just hours after the relaxation of the curfew, tension escalated in Jos as hoodlums and an irate mob reportedly attacked many motorists and passersby in different parts of the city of Jos, causing fresh fear and panic among residents.
It was learned that at the road leading to the University of Jos Permanent Site, a young man walking on the road was hacked to death after he was attacked by hoodlums.
With the development, the University of Jos (UNIJOS) management has taken the proactive and difficult step of initiating a student evacuation to ensure the well-being of the campus community.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, comes amid renewed tension in areas surrounding the university, raising fears over the safety of students on campus.
In a statement issued by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Emmanuel Madugu, the Vice Chancellor, Tanko Ishaya, ordered the immediate evacuation of students from hostels as a precautionary measure.
“The Vice Chancellor has directed the immediate evacuation of students from the university hostels in view of the general security situation and the near chaotic scenarios witnessed in areas close to the university,” the statement said.
The university management noted that the situation, which unfolded on Wednesday, heightened tension and posed a potential threat to students, necessitating urgent intervention.
To facilitate the exercise, the Plateau State Government under Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has provided transportation services for students, with approval for movement even during curfew hours.
“The evacuation is being facilitated by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, who has provided transport services fully authorised to operate within the curfew hours,” the statement added.
According to the schedule released, students residing within Jos and its environs were to be evacuated starting from Wednesday afternoon, while those whose parents or guardians live outside the city are scheduled for evacuation from Thursday morning.
Despite the development, the university reassured the public that adequate security measures have been put in place to protect the institution.
“Adequate security has been deployed to safeguard the hostels and the university at large,” the statement noted.
The Vice Chancellor also assured that management is actively working to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of the university community.
“Management is exploring all means within its disposal to ensure that the university is safe,” the statement added.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass also reports that the situation has triggered panic among residents, forcing traders who had earlier resumed business activities to abandon their shops and flee to safety.
Eyewitnesses describe scenes of confusion as people fled for cover amid fears of renewed attacks.
Security presence is said to be increasing in affected areas, although authorities have yet to officially confirm the latest developments.
This development also comes as Nigeria is battling reputational issues over the designation of the country as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
United States President Donald Trump had designated Nigeria as a CPC over alleged religious persecution.
