By: Manoah Kikekon
LAGOS, NIGERIA — Yhe Lagos State Government and the National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS) have successfully evacuated 236 students from Jos, Plateau State. The emergency move follows a week of escalating violence and communal clashes that left many residents trapped under a tense dusk-to-dawn curfew.
The rescue mission was triggered by a chilling distress call received on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. A student in Jos reportedly reached out to student leaders with a desperate plea: "Ejooor oh. I wanna live and also my people oh. Jos is hot now Sir."
Responding to the imminent danger, NULASS National President, Comrade Hafiz Olufowobi, immediately established a five-member emergency response committee. Led by the Vice President II (Diaspora), Comrade Oluwadarasimi Lawal, the team worked around the clock to coordinate with the Lagos State Ministry of Tertiary Education and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Mr. Olawale Samuel Kappo.
While the University of Jos (UNIJOS) Dean of Student Affairs provided a database of over 600 Lagos indigenes and residents, the chaotic security situation made full registration difficult. Despite communication disruptions and widespread panic, 236 students were successfully processed through a digital platform for immediate evacuation.
The operation was a feat of inter-state coordination: The Lagos State Government provided a fleet of buses and financial stipends for the journey. Armed officers from the Plateau State Police Command provided a tactical escort to lead the convoy out of volatile areas like Angwan Rukuba. The students departed Jos under heavy guard and arrived safely in Lagos on Sunday evening, April 5, 2026.
Upon their arrival, the students were received by high-ranking officials, including the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, and the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Kasali Adeniran.
Comrade Olufowobi lauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his swift intervention, noting that the administration’s "pro-student" stance saved lives. "This operation proves that the safety of our citizens, especially our students in the diaspora, remains a top priority," the NULASS President stated.
As of today, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the Plateau State Government has announced a slight relaxation of the curfew in Jos North, allowing movement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. However, other states including Cross River and Delta have also begun evacuating their indigenes as the security situation remains "calm but tense."