Another bomb blast has rocked the city of Kano, this time inside the premises of Bayero University. About 15 people have been reportedly killed while several others sustained various degrees of injuries in the attacks at St. Stephen Catholic Chaplain, Bayero University, Kano.
The attacks occurred early this morning as Christian worshippers gathered at Theatre Two near Sport Complex, old Campus of the institution.
A witness told AFP news agency the attackers had first thrown in explosives and fired shots, “causing a stampede among worshippers”.
“They now pursued them, shooting them with guns. They also attacked another service at the sporting complex.”
Another witness spoke of “pandemonium”, and said he had seen two men shooting indiscriminately.
Mohammed Suleiman, a History lecturer at the University, said security guards had to run for their lives when the violence broke out.
“For over 30 minutes a series of bomb explosions and gun shots took over the old campus, around the academic blocks,” he told Reuters news agency.
“I counted at least 15 dead bodies. I think they were being taken to the Amino Kano teaching hospital,” a witness told the agency, adding that he had seen many more people being treated for injuries. Security officials and doctors at local hospitals also say at least 15 people were killed.
An eyewitness said those who survived the blast ran into a ring of fire coming out of unknown gunmen that had taken position round the church building.
JTF spokesman Lt. Ikediche Iweha confirmed the incident but refused to comment on the number of casualties, rather, he referred Vanguard to the University authority.
When contacted, the University’s Public Relation Officer, Malam Zaharadeen confirmed the attack saying 7 worshippers were killed with scores injured.
While confirming the incident, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Kano chapter, Rev Ransom Bello expressed fear that dozens might have been affected.
According to Bello “the Commissioner of Police has put me on notice about the ugly incident in BUK old campus but yet to confirm the casualty figure”
A member of the rescue team who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard that, “we have recovered 14 dead bodies so far and transfer same to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.”
This attack, coming just few days after the bomb blasts at ThisDay offices in Kaduna and Abuja has further heightened the fear and tension in Northern states of the country.
Kano state has been one of the worst hit by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram. The sect carried out a bombing in Kano in January that killed more than 180 people, its deadliest attack to date.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of this report, many believe that this same group is responsible for the attacks.
What a sad loss. Vanguard News further reports that two University Dons, Prof Ayodele of the Chemistry Department and Prof Andrew Leo of the Library Department, were among the worshippers who were killed in the attack while most of the casualties were students.
May their souls Rest In Peace.
Teen Mom
