In line with his “People First” mantra, the Cross River State Government has evacuated 37 of its indigenes studying at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) following a wave of deadly violence in Plateau State.

The operation, carried out over the weekend, was triggered by distress calls received on April 1, 2026, as students reported an atmosphere of fear, killings, and uncertainty due to communal clashes near the university campus.

According to the reports, the situation had turned the academic environment into a “zone of anxiety and survival.”

Upon being briefed on the deteriorating security situation, Governor Bassey Otu reportedly directed the immediate mobilisation of resources to ensure the safe evacuation of all affected students.

“The governor did not hesitate,” said Joseph-Kelvin Enyam, Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, who led the rescue team. “He gave a firm directive: mobilise, deploy, and ensure the safe evacuation of every Cross River student back home until normalcy is restored.”

The rescue team, which included the Senate President of the National Association of Cross River State Students (NACRISS WW), arrived in Jos on Friday morning after travelling overnight.

They were received by the Chief Security Officer of the University of Jos and the Plateau State Security Adviser, Gen. Shipi Gakji (retd.), who provided two fully equipped security vans to escort the evacuation convoy through volatile areas.

Describing the situation in Jos, Enyam said the streets were largely deserted, with tension visibly high.

“What we saw was sobering,” Enyam stated. “Jos was unusually quiet… the scars of violence were evident. We moved into high-risk areas, including Angwa Rukuba, street by street and house by house to locate our students.”

The mission successfully extracted 37 students who were residing in off-campus housing. Eyewitnesses described emotional scenes as students were reached by the government convoy.

“The relief in their eyes, the tears, and the gratitude were overwhelming,” Enyam recounted. “Many had lost hope and resigned to fate. But in that moment, they knew that their government had not forgotten them.”

The State Government has expressed its gratitude to the management of the University of Jos, the Plateau State security apparatus, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, for their roles in the logistics of the mission.

Addressing the students directly, the Special Assistant added: “You are not alone. Your safety, your future, and your well-being remain our utmost priority.”

While academic activities at the University of Jos remain disrupted, the Cross River State Government maintains that the students will remain home until a total restoration of peace is confirmed by security agencies.