Tragedy struck the University of Jos (UNIJOS) community over the weekend when a 300-level student of the Department of Banking and Finance, Peter Mafuyai, was allegedly killed and buried in a shallow grave by his friend and fellow student, Nanpon Timnan, a 200-level student of the Department of Agriculture.
The incident occurred in Rurso, an off-campus community where both students lived. Eyewitnesses said that the two were close friends and were often seen together, making it even more difficult for students and neighbors to understand the incident.
According to the findings, the pair had spent the day together, first playing football, then visiting a music studio for a recording session before returning home in the evening. The situation reportedly took a tragic turn shortly after his return.
Sources in the neighborhood told BusinessDay that Nanpon had allegedly gone to get a knife when he reached their residence. When other people living in the compound inquired about his intentions, he claimed that he needed it for something unknown. Moments later, he allegedly attacked his friend with the weapon, leaving him lifeless on the spot.
Alarmed by the sudden action, other residents reportedly raised an alarm and ran outside to seek help. By the time they returned, the suspect had reportedly buried Mafuyai's body in a shallow grave behind the house, sparking outrage and panic in the community.
A police source said that Plato State Command operatives were immediately alerted and a full-scale investigation into the matter has since been launched.
“All friends and close associates of the deceased have been invited for questioning as part of ongoing efforts to unravel the motive behind the murder”; The source said.
Although the reason for the attack is unclear, a source indicated that it may not be related to a disagreement related to a music project the two were working on before the incident. However, officials have not yet confirmed this speculation.
At the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Plateau State Command, Alfred Alabo, was yet to make any official statement regarding the incident.
Reacting to the sad development, the University of Jos Management expressed deep sorrow and condoled with the family, friends and colleagues of the late Mafuyai.
In a statement signed by the Registrar, Rejoice James Songden, made available to journalists in Jos on Monday evening, the institution clarified that the incident occurred outside the campus, and not within the university campus, contrary to reports in some quarters.
The university further revealed that the 2024/2025 academic session ended on August 30, 2025 and the students were not in session at the time of the incident.
The statement assured parents and the public that adequate security measures are in place to protect life and property within the university environment.
The university also promised to fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served and such tragic incidents are not repeated, reaffirming its commitment to maintain a safe, peaceful and secure environment for learning and research.
The statement said, “The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Council, Management, staff and students of the University, expresses its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues of the deceased student and pray to God for comfort and strength to bear the loss during this painful period.
“The management wishes to clarify that the said incident occurred outside the campus and not within the University campus, as erroneously reported by some media outlets. It is further stated that the University has completed the 2024/2025 academic session from August 30, 2025; hence, the students were not in session at the time of the incident. Students are expected to resume the 2025/2026 academic session on November 10, 2025 “, the statement reads. Part.
