Boko Haram Bombs UNIMAID Mosque, Kills Prof, Others

In an unprecedented move, the deadly Boko Haram, on Monday morning, carried out twin bomb attacks on the community of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, as residents experienced the first direct attack by the dreaded group since the beginning of insurgency in Nigeria.

The State Commissioner of Police, Damian Isuku, according to the State police spokesman, Victor Isuku, has since mobilised to the scene of the blast for on the spot assessment of the situation.

Isuku noted that the blast happened during early morning prayers by Muslim faithful, and promised to provide more details soon.

It was gathered that the early morning bomb attack, which occurred at JS mosque near the staff quarters, was carried out by a 7-year-old suicide bomber.

The bomber, it was learnt, killed a Director of Vetenary medicine, Prof. Aliyu Mani, and four others, while another 15 persons were said to be injured.

It was also gathered that students are angry over being locked up in their hostel.

A 300 level undergraduate student claimed that students have been complaining that they were locked up in the hotels.

Another female student claimed that her father was just lucky to have stepped out of the mosque before it went off.

“But many of his colleagues, like Professor Mani and other senior staffers, have either been killed or badly injured. When we tried going to scene of the blast, everywhere was covered with shredded human flesh and blood. Most the bodies are being taken to the Teaching Hospital, while others were rushed to the school clinic,” she narrated.

She added that soldiers have since taken over the scenes.

Meanwhile, the Head Media and Public Relations (NEMA), Sani Datti, said the twin blast at the University occured around 5 a.m.

He said that one of the suicide bombers detonated his explosion at a Mosque near Gate 1 when people were observing their early morning prayer, while the second one occurred around Gate 5 of the University.

He added that rescue and security officials were at scene and seventeen (17) injured victims were evacuated to hospital.

Three persons and two suicide bombers have been confirmed dead as at the time of filing in this report.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it is believed to have been carried out by the Boko Haram.

A source within the University confirmed that the first blast occurred at a mosque within the staff quarters at the time Muslim worshippers were busy concluding the early morning prayer.

The second attack was said to have happened near the University’s 5th gate usually used by pedestrians.

Witnesses said the mosque was completely destroyed