BREAKING: Fear, chaos in Jos: UNIJOS students reportedly trapped as violence escalates; Urgent calls for Security Intervention as Tension Grips Plateau Capital

Panic and uncertainty have enveloped Jos, the Plateau State capital, as escalating violence has sparked fears for the safety of students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and residents in surrounding communities.

Reports indicate that several students are currently trapped within the university campus and nearby hostels as unrest intensifies across parts of Jos North Local Government Area, prompting urgent calls for immediate security intervention.

A distress message circulating on social media heightened concerns, with a user, Rhoda Nanre, appealing to Nigerians to draw the attention of top authorities, including the President and the Inspector-General of Police.

“We are calling on all friends and comrades to urgently alert the relevant authorities to send protection to Jos, especially UNIJOS. The students are terrified,” the message read.

The alarm coincides with an official statement released on Wednesday by the University of Jos Alumni Association, which expressed deep concern over rising tension and reported threats affecting students, staff, and the wider university community.

In the statement signed by its Global President, Gad Peter Shamaki, the association emphasized that the safety of students and staff remains paramount, urging both the Plateau State Government and security agencies to act without delay.

The alumni body called for the immediate deployment of reinforced and visible security presence across university campuses, student hostels, and residential areas housing students.

It further advocated for intensified surveillance, continuous patrols, and rapid response mechanisms to forestall further escalation.

Students have been advised to remain indoors, stay vigilant, and promptly report any suspicious activities as the situation continues to develop.

A Jos-based media outlet, JayFM, also reported mounting concerns over the security situation around the university environment, particularly in the Students’ Village hostel area, following distress calls from students allegedly stranded amid provocations by suspected hoodlums.

The unfolding crisis comes on the heels of renewed violence in Anguwan Rukuba, where angry youths reportedly attacked a church, vandalising property and triggering widespread panic.

Eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes, with residents fleeing amid gunfire and unrest.

The violence is believed to be linked to earlier attacks in the area by suspected gunmen, which have since escalated into broader clashes across parts of the city.

Residents and community leaders have criticised what they describe as delayed response and inadequate protection by security agencies, despite subsequent deployment of operatives to restore calm.

Further reports suggest that the unrest has spread to key entry and exit points of Jos, with travellers allegedly intercepted and attacked, deepening fears among residents.

As the situation remains fluid, calls continue to mount for decisive action to safeguard lives and restore order in the troubled city.