Benue Students Stranded in Jos After Alleged Government Bus Promise Fails

A student has recounted a harrowing experience on Thursday, April 2, describing it as one of the most difficult days of his life following a failed attempt to leave Jos.

According to an account by Sufi Calamari, students from Benue State were informed that the Benue State Government had dispatched 50 buses to facilitate their safe return from Jos. This was in the wake of a reported attack by bandits that claimed the lives of at least 28 people in the area on Palm Sunday.

Sufi detailed his and other students' efforts to be evacuated from Jos, which ultimately led to disappointment.

He shared his ordeal, stating: "Today is one of the worse days of my life. Given the current situation in Jos, yesterday our group chat for the committee of Tiv students (CTS) announced that the governor of Benue State had provided over 50 buses and 100 security personnel to transport Benue State students safely back to Benue state.

"I was genuinely excited by the message yesterday; students were filled with happiness. '50 buses? That should be enough to take everyone home'.

"I woke up to messages from OLAMIDE FELIX expressing excitement, telling me 'your governor has sent buses to take you home.' Before I could even respond, ZEYEANI sent another message, 'good afternoon, I hope the buses came for you guys?'

"She was extremely worried.

"We were told to be ready by 6 am for the buses meant to take us home. I truly had a premonition that this would not end well, but my father's insistence convinced me. I decided to go because his worry was palpable, and being closer to him might ease his concerns.

"By 6:20 am, I was at the designated junction with other students. We waited for a full three hours before buses eventually arrived, and notably, there were fewer than the promised 50. Thinking that since I was already there, I might as well try to get on one, I struggled to board.

"Upon boarding, we were taken to a police barracks in Plateau State, where we spent over an hour idle. Soon after, the drivers received instructions to pick up more students. The question arose: how many buses did the Benue State governor actually send? It turned out to be 8 buses out of the many available at Benue Links park.

"The moment I saw only 8 buses, I realized not everyone would be able to leave. They proceeded to bring other students, filling the barracks. The challenge was how 8 buses could possibly transport such a large number of people.

"We continued to wait until 2:00 pm. The few police officers assigned to escort us home began complaining about not having eaten and expressed frustration about the delay.

"At that point, a story was fabricated, and a small group of students were taken away, while many of us were left at the park. We were then told to find our own way back to school. The police showed no concern.

"By 5 pm in Jos, Plateau State, students who felt they were in a safer location were advised to make their own arrangements to return to school. I could only laugh; what else could I do? I started walking back, praying for my safety. Fortunately, some kind individuals assisted me in returning safely to Angwan Rukuba. Our government is failing us."