664 UNIJOS Students Evacuated By Benue, Bauchi Govts.

By Adesina Soyooye

Following the deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba,  Jos, Plateau State, Benue and Bauchi State Governments have evacuated their indigenes studying at the University of Jos. At the last count,  664 students have been evaluated.

The attack which took place on  Palm Sunday, recorded 28 fatalities and dozens injured.

The University authorities were forced to postpone the first semester examination as well as approve  the immediate evacuation of all students from the hostels and other areas, as from Thursday, April 2, 2026.

The Benue State Government  evacuated 600 students while Bauchi State evacuated 64 students.

The Benue government disclosed that it acted based on the  approval of the University Management, no thanks to the security situation.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Kula Tersoo, noted that the evacuation of Benue indigenes studying at the UNIJOS started on Thursday.

“Following the recent attack on Angwan Rukuba and surrounding areas, which claimed lives and triggered widespread tension in Jos, Plateau State, Governor Hyacinth Alia, on Thursday, April 2nd, 2026, commenced evacuation of students of Benue origin studying at the University of Jos, back to Benue State.

“The evacuation of the students of Benue indigenes was necessary to safeguard the lives and welfare of the people, especially the future leaders studying far from home.

“Already, over 600 students of Benue origin have been successfully evacuated back home with another batch of buses deployed to Jos, to help evacuate the remaining set of students and other indigenes of the state willing to return home, given the current tension in the capital city”, the statement read in part.

Governor Alia, assured his subjects that he would continue to prioritise their security and welfare.

Hadiza Kango, Bauchi State Commissioner for Higher Education and Regional Integration, said the Government intervened following a distress call from Mohammed Suleiman, the President of the National Union of Bauchi State Students who alerted the State Government that the students were trapped in their hostels due to the unrest

She said, “My attention was drawn to the situation by the NUBASS President, Mohammed Suleiman. Immediately he alerted me, I took action, and the government responded swiftly with full support and cooperation to rescue the students.”