Jos mayhem: Hoodlums kill post-JAMB exam candidates

Posted by admin Headlines, Plateau, State News Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

An unspecified number of candidates who were in Jos, the Plateau State capital, for the post-UTME examination organised by the University of Jos were alleged to have been killed by hoodlums in the wake of fresh violence in the state.

Vanguard learnt that some of the candidates unaware of the fresh hostilities were attacked as they found their way to or out of the Bauchi Road campus of the university, venue of the examination.

It was alleged that some of them were picked up by commercial motorcycles and deliberately taken to volatile spots where hoodlums attacked them.

One of the victims was identified as Stephen Ikechukwu Ojukwu who was reportedly attacked along with two others at about 5.30 pm as they waited to board vehicles for home in front of the campus.

They were said to have been stabbed before security men came to their rescue and rushed them to hospital where Ikechukwu eventually died. His corpse was later deposited at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital by some soldiers.

It was an emotional moment on Tuesday at the family’s residence located in Apata as sympathizers thronged the family residence to condole the family over the loss.

None of the family members were in a mood to discuss the incident when approached, but a family friend said they were still in shock.
Meanwhile, panic again gripped the city on Tuesday following threats of fresh violence.

Groups of youths along religious lines were said to have mobilized for a showdown over the renewed killings but were stopped by security men who fired warning shots to disperse them.

The ensuing pandemonium saw people taking to their heels while many shut their businesses and returned home. However, calm later returned to the city and some people returned to continue with their businesses.

-Vanguardwp_posts