JOSTUM Shuts Down Over Abduction Of Varsity Students In Benue

Following the kidnapping incident on the campus of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM) in Benue State, the management of the University has ordered all students to vacate their hostels with immediate effect.

The directive followed the abduction of three students by unknown armed assailants near Zamfara Hostel and Ring Road in North Core part of the university on Tuesday night.

The University management has, therefore, granted a one-week mid-semester break to all students, providing them with time to regroup and ensuring their safety as security agencies work on resolving the situation.

An internal memo released by the institution, signed by the Registrar, Dr. John U. David, mandated that students vacate the hostels by 4:00 pm on Wednesday.

The memo read: “Sequel to the unfortunate incident that occurred on Campus (Tuesday, February 25th, 2025) at about 8:00 pm, where unknown armed men abducted three students between Zamfara Hostel and Ring Road in North Core, the University Management, after a series of consultative meetings with Security Agencies and stakeholders, resolved the following:

“The University Management condemns the incident in its entirety. The Government and the Security Agencies have been duly informed about the unfortunate incident.

“All staff, students, and the general public are enjoined to remain calm as security agencies are working tirelessly to secure the release of the abducted students.

“The Inaugural Lecture scheduled for today, February 26th, 2025, is postponed indefinitely. In solidarity with the students and parents of the abducted students, the University Management has granted a one-week mid-semester break to all students to adequately address the security challenges on campus.

“Consequently, all students are to vacate their hostels by 4:00 pm today, Wednesday, February 26th, 2025.”

However, it has been reported that protests were ongoing at the university, as students who are not from Makurdi and whose homes are far away have resorted to protest over the late notice to vacate the hostels.

As of the time of filing this report, the students were still protesting the management’s decision which ordered them to leave the hostels on such short notice.