For many Bauchi students at the University of Jos, the violence in Anguwan Rukuba was a moment of fear and uncertainty until help arrived.
“We’ll never forget this,” said Comrade James Timothy, President of the National Union of Bauchi State Students (NUBASS), UNIJOS Chapter, as he recounted the tense hours spent in hostels during the crisis that left 27 people dead.
Timothy said the situation initially left students stranded and anxious, but a swift response by the Bauchi State Government brought relief.
“It was a very difficult moment for us when the crisis broke out, but the government came through for us,” he said.
The students were evacuated overnight and arrived safely at the Government House in Bauchi in the early hours of Friday.
According to Timothy, the intervention marked a turning point compared to past experiences.
“In 2021, we faced a similar situation, and there was no support. This time, everything changed,” he said.
He noted that the rescue has restored confidence among Bauchi students studying in UNIJOS, encouraging others not to be discouraged from seeking admission.
Commissioner for Higher Education, Hajia Hadiza Abdulkadir Kango, said the evacuation was triggered by a distress call and executed with the support of security agencies.
She praised the students for remaining calm and disciplined during the crisis.
As calm gradually returns to affected areas of Jos, the rescued students say the experience and the intervention will remain etched in their memories.
