Yobe university students 'missing' after Boko Haram invasion

Authors:

Samson Kukogho

December 1, 2014 12:35 PM

Some students of the Yobe state university are still 'missing' following Monday's atttack on the institution by Boko Haram insurgents. Some of them had taken refuge in bushes during the fighting.

Residents of Damaturu and stuents of the Yobe state university have sought refuge in bushes after a pre-dawn atttack on Damaturu, the capital city, by suspected Boko Haram, insurgents.

Student Pulse gathered that the insurgents emerged from surrounding bush and attacked the Yobe state university in a daring bid to take over the capital city.

According to a Reuters witness quoted by The Star said the attack started around 5.30 a.m. Monday morning.

"The insurgents stormed the town at about 5.30 a.m. this morning from Gujba road, south east of the state capital and went straight to launch an attack on a mobile police base," the witness said.

undefined fighting started near the university but moved away into the bush after the Army engaged the terrorists.

According to reports, the insurgents fired sporadic shots chanting "Allahu Akbar", which means God is greatest.

Several people, including students of the university, have been displaced as they sought safety in the bush while fighting went on.

A local, Umar Sada, told the AFP that they have abandoned their homes in fear.

"We have left our homes. We are now in the bush. We don't know what's going to happen," Sada reportedly said.

A number of students are also reportedly missing or holed up in their hiding places.

Only last month, about 49 students of the the Senior Science Secondary School in Potiskum, Yobe State, were killed in a suicide bomber attack.