Two professors, 10 others killed in Bayero varsity attack

16 others injured

It was yet another bloody Sunday in Kano on Sunday as  12 Christian worshipers were feared dead when gunmen attacked Christian places of worship at the old campus of Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

Among the dead victims of the attack which also left 16 others in critical conditions are two professors of Library and Chemistry Departments of the University.

The University authorities, through its spokesman, Mustapha Zahradeen confirmed the death of seven, adding that they were made up students and outsiders in the neighborhood, who worship in the campus.

It was gathered that the attack was carried out at about 8.30 am on Sunday when the gunmen, numbering about 15 stormed the university on motorbikes.

The gunmen had earlier reportedly laid siege to the area before the arrival of worshipers for the service,

Barely 10 minutes the service commenced, sporadic gun shots rented the air, at the end of which some of worshipers were gunned down in two coordinated attacks.

AKTH spokesman, Alhaji Aminu Inuwa confirmed to The Nation that 16 of the injured worshippers were admitted at the Emergency Ward of the Teaching hospital but declined to comment or confirm the death toll.

Meanwhile, doctors at the Teaching Hospital are battling to save the lives of those who were in critical condition.

A victim, a 400-level Accounting student of BUK, Faith Onche, who was hit by bullet on her arm, while narrating her ordeal to reporters on how the attack was carried out, said that about 8.30 am when the congregation had assembled for the day’s service at the Open air theatre for interdenominational service, gunshot sounds were heard a few metres away from the arena.

“Initially it was mistaken by some of us for a burst tyre until it became sporadic.  That was when it dawned on us that it was a gun attack and that at that point there was stampede as everyone scampered for safety”.

She dismissed as false the impression that the incident was a bomb attack, insisting that as far as she was concerned, she sighted gunmen, who opened fire on the worshipers during the open air worship.

The Nation findings revealed that the attack on the Indoor Sports complex, where Catholic worshippers held their service recorded more causalities, as fresh blood stains were all over the environment.

Many vehicles abandoned by panic-stricken worshippers, including motorbikes were seen at the Indoor Sports complex of the campus.