UNIJOS VC escapes death, security personnel killed

Gunmen on Wednesday, invaded the private residence of the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Sabastine Maimako, killing one of the institution’s security men attached to the vice chancellor’s residence, while a policeman was critically injured in the incident.

A source close to the private residence of the vice chancellor, at Eto Baba in Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North Local Government Area, said the gunmen stormed the residence at about 8:30 p.m and released several gunshots into the air to scare residents in the neighbourhood and the private security men at the entrance of the building.

The source disclosed further that the security men tried to put up resistance against the sudden invasion by the gunmen, adding that they were, however, not able to overpower the bandits as they were armed with sophisticated weapons.

According, to a press statement signed by the Principal Assistant Registrar Information and Publications, University of Jos, Mr Abdullahi Abdullahi, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, the assailants opened fire at the entrance, and in the process one internal security personnel by name Owes Jibrin, an Assistant Patrol Supervisor with the Security Division of the university, was killed.

According to the statement, another security guard on duty at the vice chancellor’s residence, Mr Adamu Salihu, a police corporal attached to the Nasarawa Gwom Station, was critically injured.

It stated further that other security guards on duty, who escaped unhurt during the incident, raised the alarm, before the assailants fled the scene of the incident, adding that no member of the vice chancellor’s family was affected during the incident.

As of the time of the attack, the new vice chancellor of the institution, who took over from Professor Hayward Mafuyai in June this year, the Nigerian Tribune learnt, was out of the country when the brutal incident occurred.

It was further learnt that the vice chancellor, Professor Maimako still occupies his private residence at Eto Baba, pending provision of an official residence as vice chancellor.

Meanwhile, the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Tyopev Terna, who confirmed the incident, said the gunmen took away the service riffle of the policeman who sustained injuries in the attack.

He, however, debunked the impression that the vice chancellor’s private residence was targeted by assailants, adding that they were just operating in the area when they stormed the vice chancellor’s residence.