Around 8am yesterday morning, multiple blasts were targeted at the early morning Christian worshippers at Theatre Two near Sport Complex and St Stephen Catholic Chaplain, Bayero University, Kano.
Seventy-one-year-old Professor Emmanuel Olofin, a professor of Geography at the Bayero University, Kano, was at the hall where Catholics had gathered to worship. He shares his story with Martin Ayankola.
“It was like this. We use the Indoor Sports Hall of the university for our services. Usually, we start mass at 8am but today (Sunday) we started a bit late because we were making some arrangements.
“We started at about 10 minutes after 8am. At about 8.15am we started hearing sounds of gunshots and pellets falling on the roof of the building.
“Then, the Reverend Father asked, ‘What is happening?’ After that, there was pandemonium, we all rushed out and people were trying to cross over to Kabuga, a nearby settlement. It was mostly gunshots but I think they were also throwing grenades.
“Some people jumped over the eight-foot fence, while some decided to take the pedestrian exit that leads to Kabuga. I believe that most of the people that died were those who took the pedestrian exit because it seemed as if the attackers used the pedestrian gate to gain entrance.
“I jumped over the fence and eventually took refuge under a tree. I was in my place of refuge, when I heard a siren wailing at about 10 am. I think that was when the Police came.
“Right now, I have been able to confirm about six of our people dead. I know of Profs Jerome Ayodele and Leo Ogbonyomi, who died. I also know of a senior non-academic employee of the university,Mr. Sylvester Adah, who died.
“How a 71-year-old man could have jumped over a fence? It was the grace of God!”
‘I was preaching when the attackers arrived’
Professor Julius Falola, a professor of Geography, was at the centre where Protestant worshippers were attacked. He spoke to Martin Ayankola.
“We, those of us who belong to a protestant group, Chapel of Victory, were holding our own service at an open ground, under the tree, close to the Faculty of Medicine.
“We started the service at about 7.30am. At about 8.15am, when I had just started preaching the day’s sermon, I sighted a group of men advancing towards where we were.
“Initially, they did not look suspicious, but suddenly, a shot was fired directly at the congregation and subsequently several shots followed.
“The attack was simultaneous, as they were attacking us, they were attacking the Catholic group worshipping in the Indoor Sports Hall. I could not say the number of the attackers. One could not wait, everybody ran.
“Some jumped over the fence while others ran deeper into the campus. I also escaped to the university clinic.
“The shooting went on for about 45 minutes. At about the 46th minute, I heard the wailing of the siren, I think the soldiers and police arrived about that time.”
“The attackers were firing gunshots and throwing hand grenades. Some of our members sustained injuries and right now, we could not ascertain the number of casualties.”
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Chei! Dis is terribly terrible! Wht had d innocent worshippers done to deserve dis tragedy! Hmmm. God knows better...
ReplyDeleteGOD IS NEVER DEAF AND BLIND
ReplyDeleteIs it not high time Christians in the North start to defend themselves? I believe in prayers but i think it is time Christians let these people know that they are not the only ones capable of using these weapons. When you are pushed to the wall, what do you do? The Government obviously can not protect them. IT IS TIME TO PROTECT YOURSELVES
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely terrible....
ReplyDeleteThis is awful!As many in Nigeria even, to our Leaders who are behind this tragedy caused by this evil society called BOKO HARAM,PREMATURE DEATH will never cease from their homes.Except, if be those lives are not cut in their primes.
ReplyDeleteBabangida, Atiku and Buhari are behind all these devil incarnate attach but i want these people that are fighting for powers to know one thing, God is not dead, He is not sleeping neither is He deaf, You present leaders and past leaders are going to give account to the Almighty God on how you have lead the Country and a wicked man must not go unpunished, you people who does not want Nigeria to see the light of the day will surely reap the fruit of your hand work, here on earth, in death and in heaven.
ReplyDeleteThis problem for Nigeria now is infact getting out of hand.
ReplyDeleteWHAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO TO CALM THIS SITUATION IS TO MOBILISE,THE ARMED FORCES,THE AIRFORCE,THE MARINE,THE POLICE AND THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATERS TO COMBAT THIS AGGRESSION.
What is the Government doing? This war with the insurgents is a Nation War. Everybody is involved with our families at stake. WAKE UP NAIJA!!!
This problem is getting out of hand govt need to find lasting solution to it or else nigeria will devid or military take over since civilian cannot handle it
ReplyDeleteMilitary take over is not the solution, look at Mali, is the military man not lamenting, today he is soliciting for support from other countres b/cos there are also terriorist in mali who have taken over half of the country's region. I think the best solution for Nigeria is division period. And let stop blaming mr president.
ReplyDeleteThe definition one gives to this wickedness determines what action to be taken by Christians. If one says it is persecution, then he should turn the other chick again and again, but if he sees it as war, he then must go out and fight as God allows it.
ReplyDeleteIf the police are No1 target, who will protect the citizens of the state, place of worship, schools, market places, public transport, sport centre, public events etc from attack on Nigerians by Nigerians???? Or could it be foreigners attacking Nigerians??.. WESTERN EDUCATION IS A SIN, yet, the same fools will drive a car, read a book, make a bomb and go on TV to talk nonsense like they got their brains between their legs. The motive is useless and the act is barbaric.
ReplyDeleteThe issue is that we should pray and do less of talking. Our security is not in the hands of Government but in God. Remember Christians are live as sheep amongst wolves. If you start carrying weapons like them you are telling God that you can fight the battle without Him. PLEASE DON'T carry weapons like them. Vengeance is the Lord's. That's what the bible says. It is the Lord's battle and I tell you that when the Lord isready to fight them, His enemies will lick the dust. Let's pray and trust God to do it. Don't be discouraged pls. They will soon be a thing of the past.
ReplyDelete