TheCable

The crisis in Jos, Plateau state capital, took a new dimension on Sunday when suspected gunmen reportedly invaded the University of Jos (UNIJOS).

The violence was said to have begun from Tina area of Jos North local government area and later spread to other parts.

Terna Tyopev, spokesman of the state police command, confirmed the renewed attack.

The suspected gunmen were said to have made their way into UNIJOS, shooting sporadically, causing students to scamper for safety.

The police spokesman said no death was reported, but promised to make casualty figures known, if any.

However, unconfirmed reports indicate that lives were lost in the attacks, including two students of UNIJOS.

Tyopev says the force has mobilised its armed personnel to quell the unrest in some of the affected areas.

“We are aware of the situation around some parts of Jos North, but it has been brought under control by our men. We have deployed our armed personnel to affected parts,’’ he said.

A corps member serving in Jos, who preferred anonymity, told TheCable that the fresh incident may have been triggered by the attack on Rukuba area of Jos North.

He said the crisis subsided Sunday evening but resumed in the wee hours of Monday.

“Yeah, the university hostel was attacked. Citizens have been warned to stay indoors to avoid been shot,” he said.

“Currently, the soldiers are patrolling the area, though we can still hear sound of gunshots.

“Rain fell last night, so things calmed down a bit, but as early as 4am, we started hearing gunshots again.

“The area is calm to an extent now anyways. People are in their axis.

“Security is under control, but the indigenous hoodlums are not relenting due to provocations.

“But a specific area called Yan trailer and Tina is insecure for now as we can hear gunshots from the axis.”

People have also taken to social media to express their observations and experience.

FGN, Plateau State is not safe. We students of University of Jos are not safe. We are been attacked & killed. Pls do something. We don't have arms to protect ourselves. Some of us just came here to study and we are being killed.

— Exposed Village Boy👦 🇳🇬 (@ItzAloy) September 30, 2018

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What happened in Jos yesterday is that STUDENTS WERE ATTACKED AND KILLED IN THEIR HOSTELS IN A FEDERAL UNIVERSITY IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.

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— Ndi Kato (@YarKafanchan) October 1, 2018

today we mourn,a day that we ought to celebrate independence,Just yesterday blood was shed in the city of Jos,plateau.#wejoswantpeace#praYforjos#prayfornigeria pic.twitter.com/KWQ89tDs7I

— . (@selfie_pharm) October 1, 2018

Sir please lend your voice to the ongoing onslaught on the Jos Plateau.
Behold Kums a 300L Law student who was murdered my the MOPOL on #IndependenceDay eve. He never got to wear the wig and gown at his call to bar pic.twitter.com/jtg3CdwOcG

— Samie (@samie_mok) October 1, 2018

Senator Dino, this is Naracutta Hostel of the university of Jos, Plateau State. There's a crisis going on in Jos and our hostels are under attack. Some our students have been killed already. We re not safe. Can u add to our voice so something can b done! We just innocent students pic.twitter.com/R0WpCWpfVJ

— Exposed Village Boy👦 🇳🇬 (@ItzAloy) September 30, 2018

A friend and military officer today, escaped the evil ones perpetrating violence today in Jos, for how long shall we continue like this (15years) pic.twitter.com/GZrUpn0hDS

— Murtala (@Murtalaibin) September 30, 2018

The state government had imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in two local government areas when the violence started.