Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, the Benue State Governor, and his Kogi counterpart, Ahmed Usman Ododo, have directed immediate evacuation of their students and indigenes from Plateau state, following the attacks at Angwan Rukuba, in Jos North Area of Plateau state.
Over 600 hundred Benue students, most of whom are studying at the University of Jos, have already been brought out of Jos, with more expected to be evaluated by the end of the day, Sir Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, said in a statement on Friday,
It was gathered that apart from the vehicles earlier released to bring students from the state back to Makurdi, Benue Links, the state transport company despatched another 30 buses on Friday, to evacuate the students.
But the statement noted that the state governor, has ordered the evacuation of the student as well as other indigenes of Benue, that were willing to return to the state, adding that Alia has assured that he would continue to prioritize the security and welfare of the people of the state.
It explained that the state governor, who was talking with his counterpart in Plateau, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, also noted that it became necessary to evacuate the students and other indigenes because the lives of the people was at stake.
It added:”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 2nd, 2026, commenced evacuation of students of Benue origin, studying at the University of Jos, back to Benue State.
”Recall that the management of the University of Jos, had after the Angwan Rukuba attack, postponed the first semester examination, and approved the immediate evacuation of all students from the hostels and other students areas, as from Thursday, April 2nd, 2026.
”Governor Alia who ordered the immediate evacuation of the Benue students from the school, says it became necessary, as it has to do with the lives and welfare of his people, especially the future leaders studying far 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 Governor assures that he will continue to prioritize the security and welfare of his people, adding that he is in talks with his colleague and Governor of Plateau state, H.E. Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, as the government is working tirelessly to bring the attackers to book, and also ensure normalcy returns.”
Besides, in a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, Governor Ododo, explained that the state took the action as a proactive measure to ensure the safety of Kogi indigenes studying in the state.
He noted that students are particularly vulnerable during such crises, especially those residing off-campus and in less secure environments, making urgent government intervention necessary.
He disclosed that the Special Adviser on Youth and Students Matters, Hon. Oladele Nihi has been deployed alongside a delegation, who have arrived in Jos to coordinate the safe and orderly evacuation of the students.
He stated that arrangements have been concluded to transport the students back home under adequate security, in collaboration with relevant agencies.
He commended the swift intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security agencies working to restore calm in Plateau State.
He expressed confidence in ongoing efforts to restore peace and bring perpetrators of the recent Jos crisis to justice.
He reassured parents and guardians that the safety and welfare of Kogi students remain a top priority of his administration, urging students to remain calm and cooperate with officials managing the evacuation process.