Leaked Memo Warning of Bomb Threat Stirs Panic at UNIJOS

A leaked internal memo warning of a potential bomb threat has triggered anxiety among students and staff at the University of Jos.

The confidential document, dated July 4, 2025, was signed by Agama Solomon Tangni, the university’s Acting Chief Security Officer, and addressed to all base officers and security personnel. It instructed security operatives to be on “red alert and be vigilant”, citing a threat specifically targeting the university.

“I write this URGENT memo to notify you of a bomb threat in Jos, particularly targeting the University of Jos,” it reads. It also ordered thorough searches of everyone entering or leaving the university premises “to avoid falling victims”.

Although the memo was not officially released to the public, it began circulating online and among students on Friday, sparking fear across campus. JoeyOffAir has not independently verified its authenticity, and university lecturers we spoke to said no such notice had been shared through official staff channels. This is perhaps unsurprising, as the memo was intended solely for the university’s security division.

No public statement had been issued by the university authorities as of the time this report was filed.

The leaked memo has caused visible unease among students, particularly those living in the hostels.

“I don’t feel safe, and I hope the authorities will make adequate provisions for student security,” said Grace Tsado, a 500-level Nursing student residing in Abuja Hostel.

“At first, I thought it was a joke. But seeing the memo with the university letterhead made it feel real,” said Nokpan Ishaya, a student at Naraguta Hostel.

This is not the first time the University of Jos has faced a security scare. In 2021, following a similar threat, students were asked to vacate the hostels, leading to a disruption of academic activities and an extension of the school calendar.

The development also mirrors an incident in November 2024, when a suspected bomb threat at the Jos main market, Terminus, caused widespread panic before being declared a false alarm.

The recurrence of such threats—real or otherwise—is fuelling fear in Jos, a city long affected by waves of violence and insecurity.

In the meantime, students and staff are urged to stay calm but alert, and to report any suspicious activity to campus security.

JoeyOffAir will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.