photo credit: University Of Jos gate By Miracle Adebayo
Tragedy struck the University of Jos (UNIJOS) community over the weekend, Saturday, October 26, 2025, as a 300-level student of the Department of Banking and Finance, Peter Mafuyai, was allegedly hacked to death and buried in a shallow grave by his friend and fellow student, Nanpon Timnan, a 200-level student of Agricultural Science.
The disturbing incident occurred at Rusau Village (also referred to as Rurso), an off-campus community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, throwing students and residents into shock and mourning.
Friends Turned Foes
Eyewitnesses described the two students as close friends who were often seen together around the neighbourhood. On the day of the incident, the pair reportedly spent time playing football and later visited a music studio for a recording session before returning home that evening.
According to residents, shortly after they returned, Nanpon allegedly fetched a machete and attacked his friend.
“Nanpon already cut Peter on his jaw while he was begging for his life. When we tried to intervene, he threatened to machete anyone who came close,” eyewitness explained in a video on a Facebook post.
She added that Mafuyai attempted to escape but fell, allowing the suspect to catch up with him and continue striking until he died on the spot.
Residents who raised an alarm later discovered that the suspect had buried Mafuyai’s body in a shallow grave behind their apartment, sparking panic in the area.
Police Confirm Arrest
Security sources confirmed that following a distress call received around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Laranto Division led a team of operatives to the scene, where the suspect was arrested.
A report shared on X (formerly Twitter) by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama stated that the 23-year-old suspect was apprehended after the university’s Chief Security Officer alerted the Plateau State Police Command.
“Investigations revealed that the suspect buried the deceased in a shallow grave he had dug inside his room. The remains of the victim were exhumed and deposited at Bingham University Teaching Hospital morgue for autopsy,” Makama wrote.
As of press time, there has not been any official reaction from the Police.
Possible Dispute Over Music Project
While the motive behind the killing remains is unclear, one source close to the deceased suggested that the attack may have stemmed from a disagreement related to a music project the two had been working on earlier that day. However, authorities have yet to confirm this claim.
University Reacts
In an official statement signed by the Registrar, Rejoice James Songden, and released on Monday evening, the University of Jos Management expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Mafuyai.
“The Management wishes to clarify that the said incident occurred off campus, not within the University premises, as erroneously reported by some media outlets,” the statement read in part.
The university further noted that the 2024/2025 academic session ended on August 30, 2025, and that students were not in session at the time of the incident. Classes for the 2025/2026 session are scheduled to resume on November 10, 2025.
“The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Council, Management, Staff and Students, expresses heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased student and prays for God’s comfort and strength to bear the loss,” the statement added.
The management also assured the public that adequate security measures remain in place within the campus and pledged full cooperation with law enforcement agencies to ensure justice is served.
Community Concerns
The gruesome killing has reignited conversations about the growing wave of violent altercations among youths in Plateau State.
In September, a similar case was reported, where a man’s body was found near Township Primary School in the Tafawa Balewa area of Jos North, with the cause of death still under investigation.
As investigations into Mafuyai’s death continue, the UNIJOS community and residents of Rusau Village remain gripped by grief and disbelief.