police college attacked in jos as two police men died

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the attackers fired several shots at the officers who were manning the entrance of the school.

The injured policemen, Sgt. Bitrus Oloji, and a corporal, who was identified as Japheth, were taken to Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Jos, sources said.

NAN learnt that one of the victims was in a more critical condition, having been shot in the head.

A police officer, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the attackers took the policemen by surprise by launching the attack from two angles.

"It is by sheer providence that the two policemen were not killed in view of the heavy shooting carried out by the attackers who first destroyed the security lights at the gates before unleashing a heavy attack on the guards,’’ the officer said.

He said that the shootings went on for "almost one hour’’.

When contacted, Mr. Mulero Ayinde, the College Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident but added that no life was lost.

"For now, that is all I can tell you. We’ll speak after we have gathered more details,’’ Ayinde said.

A relation of Oloji’s, Miss Murna Basu, however, told NAN that the incident happened not long after she brought food for him at the gate.

"I brought food for my brother just when NTA began the 9.00 pm Network news and left but around 10.00 p.m. I heard gunshots.

``I suspected something terrible must have happened when I called his line without any response even when it was ringing,`` Basu said.

NAN reports that the college is among areas identified as targets of attacks by Boko Haram, the sect believed to be responsible for a terrorist attacks in various parts of the country.

In a text message sent to some Jos residents early in the month, the college was listed among targets that included, COCIN Headquarters Church, Police Command, ECWA Headquarters, Theological College of Northern Nigeria, among others.

COCIN was hit a week after, while St Finbar’s Catholic Church was bombed two weeks after.
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