Professor of medicine, infant killed in UNIMAID bomb blasts

Aliyu Mani, a professor of veterinary medicine, and a child are among those killed in the suicide attack on University of Maiduguri.

Mani died after a male suicide bomber detonated a bomb at the senior staff quarters of (UNIMAID) early on Monday morning

Damian Chukwu, commissioner of police(CP), confirmed the incident to reporters in Maiduguri.

Chukwu said 15 persons sustained various degrees of injuries, and had been rushed to hospital.

“At about 5:45am a mobile police officer who is on duty sighted a suicide bomber who was trying to scale the fence at Gate Five of the university,” he said.

“Suspicious of his movement, the mobile police officer instantly gunned him down and his bomb exploded and killed him instantly.

“The second suicide bomber, a seven year-old, detonated the second explosive at the senior staff quarters mosque in the university where a professor and four persons were killed, and 15 persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the hospital.”

Commenting on the incident, Satomi Ahmed, chairman of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said: “All I can say is to appeal to the people to be vigilant and ensure proper watch because, like we have said, the insurgents are in disarray and employing any tactic to cause havoc.

“The people must be vigilant at all time.”

Emergency workers have evacuated the body of the victims and the suicide bombers to a mortuary.

The attack happened after morning Islamic prayers, Subhi.

The attacks were recorded at a mosque near Gate 1, and Gate 5 of the university.

Rescue and security officials have cordoned the areas, while evacuation have been concluded.

Ibrahim Umar, a student of the institution, told TheCable that the attack took people unawares.

“This is the first time that we would experience this kind of thing on this campus,” he said.

“As I speak to you now, there is confusion. No movement within and outside the school. Those inside are trapped, while those outside cannot go in. Security personnel have taken over strategic places.

“We are really worried, and there are fears that ongoing examination will be rescheduled.”