Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has rescued students of the state origin studying at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) following the renewed violence rocking Jos, the Plateau State capital, which led to the death of two students of the institution. According to reports, the violence erupted across Tina, Angwa-Rukuba, British- America, Rikos, Bauchi Road, Farigada, Dogon- Dutse and other parts of Jos North Local Government Area, following a disagreement between the Christian and Muslim communities.
Eyewitnesses reported that gunshots were heard between Lamingo Junction and Angwan-Rukuba area close to the University of Jos Staff Quarters at the weekend and later at the students’ hostels. In a swift rescue mission to save students of Akwa Ibom origin in the institution, the governor directed the immediate evacuation of the students by the state Commissioner for Education and the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Matters.
While receiving the students on behalf of the governor at the Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) Park, yesterday, the Education Commissioner, Prof. Victor Inoka, expressed delight over their safe return and reiterated the state government’s commitment to the wellbeing of all Akwa Ibom students in various institutions within and outside the country. The Commissioner said: “You know welfare is a component of two poles.
The people always talk about material welfare, and they do not talk about immaterial welfare. What the governor has been doing to ensure the students’ welfare is unprecedented because we cannot quantify what His Excellency has done. “Imagine what students from other states are passing through, but within a very short notice, the state government acted promptly. We were made to understand that you were held up in your hostels, and you could not go out. We also heard that four of you are at the police station, while some have run to safety in some other places and as a result we immediately mobilised for your safety and return.
