Beheaded man found dead on UNIJOS farmland, sparks fear

Panic spread across the University of Jos (UNIJOS) community on Tuesday after the body of a middle-aged man was found on farmland within the institution with his head missing.

The victim, whose identity had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report, was discovered in the early hours of Tuesday, raising concerns among students, staff and residents.

A 300-level student, Pius Atok, said the body was found on a farm located 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 publicly, confirmed the incident and said preliminary findings indicated that the deceased was a farmer known to cultivate crops on the farmland.

According to the official, the victim regularly visited the farm early in the morning before the attack.

“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 said.

The source added that the victim’s family had been contacted and arrangements were underway to evacuate the body.

The university management is aware of the incident and is expected to issue an official statement through its Information Directorate.

Efforts to obtain confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls to the command’s spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, were not answered at the time of filing this report.