The Akwa Ibom State Government has said it has evacuated no fewer than 75 of its indigenes who are students of the University of Jos due to the recent violence in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
This was disclosed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Comrade Clifford Akwaowo.
A statement issued by the Information Unit of the state Ministry of Education revealed that the evacuation was ordered by the state governor, Mr, Udom Emmanuel.
According to the statement, “Comrade Clifford commended Governor Emmanuel for facilitating and monitoring the safe return of the students, describing him as a good father full of love and care, deserving of accolades, adding that his swift response to the situation forstalled possible attacks and bloodlettings.
“In their separate remarks, Mr Benjamin Akpan Jonah, a 400 level Chemistry Student and NAAKISS Vice President, Northern zone and Mr Ekong Blessed, a 500 level Pharmacy student and NAAKISS President, UNIJOS chapter, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for responding to their distress call for help and coming to their aid.
“The Student Leaders recounted their ordeal while in school which they said began on the 14th of August,2021 whereby a group of individuals was attacked and killed in Jos which caused counter-attacks leading to mayhem and loss of lives of some individuals, including students of the University of Jos.
“They said with the declaration of curfew by the Plateau State Government and subsequent close down of the school, students were in a critical situation which made them seek the intervention of the state government.
“They particularly lauded Governor Emmanuel for liaising with Plateau State Government to provide security personnel that escorted their vehicles through to the outskirts of Plateau State, expressing delight to be back home.”.
