The dreaded Islamist extremist group, Boko Haram attacked the Federal College of Education in Kano with multiple bomb blasts on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 killing 13.
Residents of Kabuga, the host community of the institution, say they heard a loud explosion after which sporadic gunshots followed at about 3:20pm.
An eyewitness, Hauwa Abdu, said some gunmen arrived at the area and started shooting near the bus stop and suddenly, a man in black attire told people to remain where they were or risk being killed.
She said, “When the terrified people took to their heels, the gunmen started shooting and suddenly there was explosion at the entrance of the college.”
A victim, Hanne Muhammad, said, “When we rushed out of the theatre, some of us were hit by shrapnels. My friend was hit on the face and hands. She lost consciousness.”
Corpses and those injured were taken to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano.
According to a source in the hospital said 21 corpses were brought.
A hospital source said: “Some people came to identify and take the corpses of their loved ones for burial. We cannot ascertain if they are more dead people but we counted 21 corpses, including babies. About 40 are receiving treatment.”
The police have a different figure as the state Police Commissioner, Adenrele Shinaba, told journalists that 15 people were killed while 36 were injured.
The Police headquarters, in a statement which gave a different account of how the blast happened and its exact place, said two of the armed men were shot dead.
The Force public relations officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, in a statement put the death toll at 15 but gave the number of those wounded as 34.
His statement reads in part:
“At about 1530hrs, two armed men detonated an IED at the lecture Hall of Federal College of Education, Zaria Road, Kano.
“Thereafter, they began sporadic shooting outside the premises. Police team from a nearby Tactical Operations Point responded and shot dead the two insurgents. Their AK 47 rifles were recovered.
“On examination of the scene of the explosion, 15 dead bodies were recovered, while 34 injured were taken to hospital for treatment. The police have sealed the scene of crime and commenced investigation.”
