Plateau varsity shut as gunmen kill student during attack

The management of Plateau State University (PLASU) in Bokkos has ordered the immediate closure of the institution following attacks by gunmen.

Gunmen attacked Chikam, a community close to the university where a 200-level student of the institution was killed.

At least 12 people in the Tilengpat community of Pushit district in Mangu LGA were also killed in an attack on Thursday night.

In a statement on Friday, the school’s authority confirmed the death of Dading James Jordan, a student from the department of computer science.

The statement also condemned the attack on the community while consoling the family of the late student.

The varsity declared a two-day mourning period for Jordan while suspending its ongoing examination.

“The Plateau State University Community woke up to the sad news of another heartless attack on Chikam, a community close to the university,” the statement reads in part.

“The sad event led to the loss of a 200 level, computer science student of the University residing in Chikam, by name Dading James Jordan.

“This is coming despite the relentless effort by the Plateau State government, security agencies, the Management of the University and other stakeholders to improve the security situation on our campus and the surrounding communities.

“Unfortunately, the enemies of the University and the state brought this dastardly attack leading to the loss of our dear student.

“The Vice-Chancellor and the entire management convey their condolences to the family of the deceased, the student body and the university community.

“In view of this sad development, Management has declared a two-day mourning period on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th April, 2024. Accordingly, all the examinations earlier scheduled for Friday 19th and Saturday 20th April 2024 are hereby suspended.

“While calling on our students to remain calm and law-abiding, we wish to call on the security agencies to beef up security around the university in order to secure staff and students as we look into other ways of making the University more secure.”

In a follow-up statement, the management announced that PLASU will be shut down for 10 days for security reasons.

“Following the sad incident that occurred in Plateau State University, Bokkos and the surrounding communities on Friday, 19th April, 2024; and in view of the psychological effect of the unfortunate incident on students and staff of the University, Management has taken the painful decision to close the University for ten (10) days with effect from today, 19th April, 2024,” it reads.

“This decision is to allow the security situation to improve and to lessen the human risk on the University Community. Accordingly, the ongoing first semester examinations are hereby suspended to resume on Thursday, 2nd May, 2024.

“Furthermore, Management has made available buses to convey students who may be stranded from the University to Barkin Ladi, today, Friday 19th April, 2024.”