Yesterday, armed gunmen approached Usmanu Danfodiyo University Community Sokoto, killed one person, while another were seriously injured.
Supposed gunmen invaded Dundayen Bakin Gulbi village, which is located 600 meters from the university’s main campus.
They opened fire sporadically, putting members of the local and international communities in danger.
Muhammad Bello, a resident of Kwalkwalawa village, a Community in the University, who runs a tricycle (Agwagwa), told Platinum Times that the attackers also ransacked an MTN tower in the hamlet and carried away a number of mobile phones brought for charging.
According to him, as the gunmen invaded the village, the youths in the community fought and faced the intruders, forcing the attackers to open fire, killing one and wounding several others.
“Last week, our community sent two trailers load of onions to Ghana for sales, I am sure the attackers believed the Onion merchants are back from the trip and they are in money which they wanted to rob” says Bello.
“We believed the attackers are those who knew in and out of our village and the University. I am appealing to the University management to checkmate the activities of persons residing in rented apartments around the University, where we are certain some of the suspects might be harbouring”
Reacting to the attack, a University security personnel Malam Rufa’e Umar Rabe said, the attacked was not carried out in the University premises but outside the perimeter fence of the institution.
“I am the operation officer in the office of the University chief security officer, I will not go further as the happening was out of our jurisdiction” says Rabe.
“If you want further clarification and more information, please drop your contact and we will get back to you on Monday”
“Our Vice Chancellor was not in the state, he travelled out and am sure he will be back by Monday”
Our correspondent made several attempts to speak to the vice Chancellor Prof. Lawal Suleman Bilbis through his mobile phone but proved abortive as the phone was switched off.
Our Correspondent also observed that the University is digging a trench round the perimeter fence as part of measures to provide security and prevent bandits and other criminals from crossing into the institution.
It could be recalled that a similar attack was reported in the University few months ago which forced many student to relocate from hostels to the metropolis for fear of the unknown.