The University of Jos (UNIJOS) has confirmed the tragic deaths of two students and injuries to several others following recent violence in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. Vice-Chancellor Professor Tanko Ishaya disclosed these grim details on Thursday, April 9, 2026, during a press briefing in Jos, providing an update on the profound impact of the unrest on the university community.

The two students who lost their lives were identified as Abel Joro Gershon, a 300-level student of Building, and Adeyomo Oluwafemi Temitope, a 500-level student of Quantity Surveying. Mr. Gershon was shot in the stomach during an attack on March 29 in Angwan Rukuba, a community densely populated by UNIJOS students and staff. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) but tragically succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, April 5. Mr. Temitope was killed days later, on April 1, after encountering violence alone along Bauchi Road, where he was reportedly shot and macheted to death by hoodlums.

In addition to the fatalities, four other students and one staff member sustained injuries during the attacks, bringing the total number of affected university community members to five. These individuals are currently receiving medical treatment. The Vice-Chancellor extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased students and to the residents of Angwan Rukuba, where unknown gunmen reportedly killed more than 30 people in the initial March 29 attack, which triggered a wider wave of violence.

The Angwan Rukuba incident on March 29 led to the imposition of a 48-hour curfew in Jos North. Despite the curfew being relaxed on April 1, the unrest unfortunately spread to other parts of the city, causing significant fear among residents and students. In response to the escalating security concerns, the university had taken measures such as ordering the evacuation of students from hostels and postponing examinations. However, Professor Ishaya clarified that the university itself was never formally shut down, nor was a general directive for the evacuation of all staff or students issued. He noted that the uncoordinated arrival of vehicles from various state governments and organizations, intending to evacuate their indigenes, inadvertently created unnecessary panic among the student body.

Despite these challenging incidents, Professor Ishaya affirmed that the university's academic calendar would proceed as planned. He confirmed that examinations would resume on Monday, April 13, aligning with the end of the Easter break, to allow students who had traveled to return safely and complete their first semester examinations before commencing the second semester. The Vice-Chancellor reiterated that UNIJOS campuses were not directly attacked during the crisis and assured that the university is safe. He emphasized that security measures have been significantly strengthened, and he commended the swift response of security agencies, including high-level visits from officials such as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Maj.-Gen. E.F. Onyinlola, who have assured that the university remains a priority. Professor Ishaya appealed to parents and guardians to allow their wards to return to campus, confident in the enhanced safety protocols.