The Benue State Government announced it had commenced the evacuation of Benue indigenes studying at the University of Jos, Plateau State.
The evacuation followed approval by the management of the institution as a result of the Palm Sunday massacre in Angwan Rukuba, where about 28 people were reportedly killed.
At the moment, 600 students were reportedly evacuated on Thursday, while others willing to return to Benue were expected to be evacuated this weekend.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kula Tersoo, who said the evacuation of Benue indigenes studying at the University of Jos was carried out on Thursday.
The statement read in part, “Following the recent attack on Angwan Rukuba and surrounding areas, which claimed lives and triggered widespread tension in Jos, Plateau State, Governor Hyacinth Alia, on Thursday, April 2, 2026, commenced the evacuation of students of Benue origin studying at the University of Jos back to Benue State.”
According to the statement, the students’ evacuation was vital to protect people’s lives and well-being, particularly future leaders studying far away from home.
“Already, over 600 students of Benue origin have been successfully evacuated back home with another batch of buses deployed to Jos, to help evacuate the remaining set of students and other indigenes of the state willing to return home, given the current tension in the capital city,” the statement further read.
However, Alia told the state’s citizens that he would continue to prioritize their security and well-being.
He also added that he was in touch with his counterpart from Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, as the government worked relentlessly to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore normalcy.
Recall that following the Angwan Rukuba incident, the University of Jos management postponed the first semester test and approved the immediate evacuation of all students from hostels and other student places on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
