Gunmen invade UNILAG, shoot student

Some yet-to-be identified gunmen threw the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, into chaos on Monday after they invaded the King Jaja Hall area of the institution and shot at students.

Although it was not clear whether the attack was carried out by cultists, our correspondent gathered that a student was shot in the head in the mayhem.

The student, who was identified as Sapara, was said to be a final year student of Philosophy. Eyewitnesses said Sapara’s face was covered in blood after a bullet scraped the side of his head.

It was learnt that the victim was subsequently taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, where he was said to be in stable condition.Continue...

The incident, however, led to pandemonium as students, who were sitting for their examination, ran in different directions after the gunshot was heard.

Eyewitnesses said some Akokites (as the students fondly called themselves) who were not at the vicinity of the incident also sought safety in nearby lecture halls, while others fled the campus.

One of the eyewitnesses, who pleaded anonymity for safety reason, said, “It was scary. We heard the gunshots from the King Jaja Hall area and everybody just ran for cover. Some of us saw a car sped off after the shooting. It was believed that the perpetrators might have carried out the attack from the car.”

Speaking with our correspondent, the Dean of Students’ Affairs of the University, Prof. Olukayode Amund, confirmed that Sapara was shot in the incident. He added that the victim was recuperating in LUTH.

He said investigations had begun to know the circumstances surrounding the attack, after which requisite actions would be taken.

He said, “The events surrounding the incident are still shrouded in mystery and by the time we conclude our investigation, the university authorities will take the necessary and appropriate action. Our security operatives are working very hard to unravel the mystery and whoever is responsible will be held to account.”

When asked whether the attack was carried out by cultists, Amund said athough it was not yet confirmed, it was a possibility.

According to him, only cultists are known to carry out operations of such nature.

Our correspondent noted on Tuesday that normal activities went on in the university as students resumed sitting for their ongoing examinations.

Some students, however, confided in PUNCH Metro that they were at alert for a reprisal.

In January, unconfirmed reports had it that a student was axed in the New Hall area of the campus.

Responding to this, Amund noted that the university was working with the police to find useful leads on the attack.

“All our ears are to the ground to see whether we will have any lead. As soon as we have information, we will bring in the security agencies, the police in particular,” he said.