College provost says suspected Islamic extremists kill about 50 students in northeast Nigeria

POTISKUM, Nigeria – A college provost says suspected Islamic militants gunned down students as they slept and killed as many as 50 in an early-morning attack in northeast Nigeria.

Molima Idi Mato of the Yobe state College of Agriculture told The Associated Press that the gunmen also torched classrooms in the attack at about 1 a.m. Sunday in rural Gujba. The college is about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the scene of similar school attacks around Damaturu town.

He said security forces are still recovering bodies so he could not give an exact death toll. He said about 1,000 students have fled.

Northeast Nigeria is in a military state of emergency against an Islamic uprising prosecuted by Boko Haram militants who have killed hundreds of civilians in their quest for an Islamic state.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles