UNIJOS shuts student hostels over security threat

The management of University of Jos has directed the closure of all its students’ hostels over security threat to the school.

Abductions of students have become rife in schools in some parts of the northern region.

TheCable had reported how gunmen invaded the Calvary Ministries, a mission agency popularly known as CAPRO, in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau state on Wednesday night and abducted a student.

Some students of the school reportedly escaped during a gun battle with the attackers.

Abdullahi Abdullahi, deputy registrar, information and publications of the university, in a statement on Saturday, said the hostels would remain closed until further notice.

According to Abdullahi, the decision followed an emergency meeting held on Friday between the management of the university and other stakeholders, including heads of security agencies in the state, the chief security officer of the institution and student representatives.

The official said that the outcome of the meeting indicated that the university has become a soft target for insecurity, hence, the decision for the students to vacate the hostels.

“The meeting deliberated on a security report regarding threats to the university staff, students and properties. As a result of this, soft targets like the hostels are in great danger,” Abdullahi said.

“In the light of this development, the hostels are to be closed with immediate effect. Students and other members of the university community are to note and strictly comply with this directive.

“This is in the interest of the safety of students until all security measures have been perfected to protect the campuses as well as the hostels.”

The deputy registrar, however, said that the ongoing examinations would continue unhindered.

He called on students and all members of the university community to be security-conscious and report any suspicious movements within the university to the security agencies for a prompt response.