The University of Jos has confirmed the deaths of two students and injuries to three other members of its community following the outbreak of violence linked to the March 29 attack on the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos.
This was disclosed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, during a press briefing addressing the impact of the crisis on academic activities.He described the incident as a significant and painful loss to the institution.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the deceased students were identified as Abel Joro Gershon, a 300-level student in the Department of Building, and Adeyomo Oluwafemi Temitope, a 500-level student in Quantity Surveying. Gershon sustained gunshot wounds during the March 29 attack and later died on April 5 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital Intensive Care Unit, while Temitope was killed during a subsequent outbreak of violence along Bauchi Road on April 1.
Professor Ishaya confirmed the extent of the casualties, stating: “For the records, as at this morning, we unfortunately lost two of our dear students, while two students and one staff had various degrees of injuries.”
“we have a total of five members of the University of Jos affected — four students and one staff. We unfortunately lost two of the four students.”
Providing additional details, he explained that Gershon was shot in the abdomen during the Angwan Rukuba attack, while another student, Ishaya Patrick, sustained a leg injury and remains hospitalized.
A staff member of the Directorate of Student Affairs, Duguryil Ufialas Daniel, was shot in the thigh and is also receiving treatment. He also noted that Temitope had unknowingly entered a volatile area, stating that the student was killed after leaving campus alone and encountering violence along Bauchi Road.
In the same area, another student, Longji Molshap Wumnokol, sustained critical injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed the institution’s grief, “The entire University community is deeply saddened by the loss of two of our dear students — Adeyomo Oluwafemi Temitope and Abel Joro Gershon. May the Almighty God grant them eternity and comfort their families.”he added.
He also extended condolences to the affected families and communities.Despite the incidents, Professor Ishaya emphasized that no breach of peace occurred within the university campuses, noting that management worked closely with security agencies to ensure safety.
He reassured stakeholders, stating that security has been strengthened both on campus and along access routes, and confirmed that academic activities will continue as scheduled, with examinations set to resume on April 13.
