The crisis in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, took a new dimension on Sunday when gunmen reportedly raided the University of Jos (UNIJOS). The violence was said to have begun from Tina area of Jos North Local Government Area and later spread to other parts.
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Terna Tyopev, spokesman of the state police command, confirmed the renewed attack. The gunmen were said to have made their way into UNIJOS, shooting haphazardly, causing students to scamper for safety.
The police spokesman said no death was reported but promised to make casualty figures known, if any.
However, unconfirmed reports indicated that lives were lost in the attacks, including two students of UNIJOS.
BREAKING: University Of Jos Students Residing in school hostel reportedly held hostage and been shot at by some uniform men
7 students shot dead already
Please share this post. The students reaching out to us are really crying for help#JOSCrisis#jtcblo pic.twitter.com/Njmc2h7liR
— Nobert (@Nobertonyebuagu) October 1, 2018
Tyopev says the police force has mobilised its men to quell the unrest in some of the affected areas.
“We are aware of the situation around some parts of Jos North, but it has been brought under control by our men. We have deployed our armed personnel to affected parts,’’ he said.
A corps member serving in Jos, who preferred anonymity, said the incident might have been triggered by the attack on the Rukuba area of Jos North. He said the crisis subsided Sunday evening but resumed in the early hours of Monday.
“The university hostel was attacked. Residents have been warned to stay indoors to avoid being shot. Currently, soldiers are patrolling the area, though we can still hear gunshots.
“Rain fell last night, so things calmed down a bit, but as early as 4 a.m., we started hearing gunshots again. The area is calm to an extent now anyways. People are in their axis.
“Security is under control but the indigenous hoodlums are not relenting due to provocations. But a specific area called Yan Trailer and Tina is insecure for now as we can hear gunshots from the axis.”
President of the University of Jos Students’ Union Government (SUG), Comrade Pantu Fwangshak, confirmed the death of a student of the institution. Fwangshak made the declaration Sunday evening in a statement issued on his behalf by Damak Joseph, his chief of staff.
The SUG president, while calling for calm among his colleagues, added that another student was also injured during the attack. He further revealed that two people, who are yet to be identified, were also injured in the incident.
Fwangshak debunked the rumour that seven students were killed.