UNIJOS laments killing of students, suspends activities indefinitely

The university management said since the 24-hour curfew in the state was relaxed, there have been intensified killings of its students.

Ahmed Oluwasanjo • August 20, 2021

University of Jos gate (Credit: Premium Times)

The University of Jos on Friday announced an indefinite suspension of academic activities following the killings of its students shortly after the government imposed curfew was relaxed in Plateau state.

Plateau state governor Simon Lalong had following the killing of 25 persons at Rukuba, Jos North Local Government, imposed a curfew to curtail reprisal attacks in the state.

In a statement lamenting the “intensified killings of students around the University of Jos area shortly after the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew in the state”, the university registrar, Monday Danjem, announced an indefinite suspension of all university activities.

“Following the risky and precarious insecurity situation in Jos, the imposition of a dusk to dawn curfew, which has affected the academic activities including the suspension of Second Semester Examinations for the 2019/2020 Academic Session in the University of Jos, the University continued to experience the loss of lives of some of our students.

“Consequently, the Management of the University of Jos, after an emergency meeting with the Committee of Deans, Directors and Provost on Friday, 20th August 2021, has approved the suspension of Examinations for the Second Semester 2019/2020 Academic Session and all Academic Activities in the University until further notice subject to ratification by the Senate of the University,” the statement reads in part.

While urging students to vacate school hotels for safer places, the university management appealed to security operatives to provide security for students as they return to their homes.

“We passionately appeal that a joint patrol team of armed soldiers and other law enforcement agencies should beef up security and ensure that students are adequately protected as they evacuate their hostels to safe destinations; the life or security of every student matters to Management of the University of Jos and other stakeholders,” the statement said.

Peoples Gazette had reported that five persons were killed at Tafi-Gana Village, Miango District, Bassa LGA of the state amid the curfew.

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