By Golok Nanmwa, Jos
Panic gripped the University of Jos (UNIJOS) community on Tuesday after the beheaded body of a middle-aged man was discovered on farmland within the university environment.
The deceased, whose identity had yet to be officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report, was found with his head severed and missing, triggering fear among students, staff and residents of the institution.
A 300-level student of the university, Pius Atok, who spoke to Vanguard, said the body was discovered on a farm within the university community.
“The body was found this morning on a farm around the university community.
From what we gathered, the victim was neither a student nor a member of staff of the university,” he said.
A senior university official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed the incident, saying preliminary findings indicated that the deceased was a farmer who regularly cultivated crops on the farmland where his body was found.
According to the official, “The victim is neither a student nor a staff member of the university. He is known to people around the area because he usually comes there to farm. We believe he came very early this morning, as he normally does.
“What actually happened is still unclear, but from the nature of the attack, it appears those responsible came specifically to kill him and made away with his head.”
The official added that the victim’s relatives had been contacted and arrangements were being made to evacuate the body.
He said the university management was already aware of the incident and would issue an official statement to members of the university community and the media.
“The Information Directorate is handling the situation and will communicate appropriately through the university’s official platforms,” the source added.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, for confirmation and further details were unsuccessful.
