Headless body on UniJos farmland triggers security scare in Plateau

Confusion swept through the University of Jos (UniJos) community on Tuesday after the beheaded body of a middle-aged man was discovered on farmland within the institution’s premises.

The deceased, whose identity is yet to be officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report, was found with his head severed and missing, sparking fear among students, staff and residents.

A 300-level student of the university who spoke anonymously said the body was discovered on a farm located within the university community.

“The body was found this morning (Tuesday ) 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 confirmed the incident, saying preliminary findings suggested that the victim was a farmer who regularly cultivated crops on the farmland where his body was found.

“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,” the official said.

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The source added that the circumstances surrounding the killing remained unclear but noted that the nature of the attack suggested it was targeted.

“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 said.

According to the university official, the deceased’s relatives had been contacted, while arrangements were underway to evacuate the body.

The source further disclosed that the university management had been briefed on the incident and would issue an official statement through its Information Directorate.

“The Information Directorate is handling the situation and will communicate appropriately through the university’s official platforms,” the source added.

Efforts to reach Alfred Alabo, the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command for confirmation and further details were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

Nathaniel Gbaoron

Nathaniel E. Gbaoron is the Plateau State correspondent for BusinessDay and a seasoned journalist with a decade of experience covering sub-national affairs across Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and other states. He holds both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Fidel Polytechnic, Gboko. Over the years, he has participated in numerous media trainings and workshops spanning various areas of reporting, strengthening his expertise in economic and political reporting, community-level governance, development stories, and conflict-sensitive journalism. He is a member of Correspondent Chapel in Plateau state, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he is also a Rotarian and a member of Plateau Club 1921.