Twin explosions hit Nigerian Maiduguri univ. campus

By Olarewaju Kola

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AA) - Dozen have been feared dead and many injured as twin bomb explosions hit a major university in the restive Nigeria's Maiduguri city early Monday morning.

Police said the explosions occurred within the premises of the University of Maiduguri-a major university in the country's northeast region-as Muslim faithful were observing their early morning prayers.

"There was an explosion within the premises of University of Maiduguri during the early morning prayers by Muslim faithfuls," police spokesman, Victor Isuku said in a short statement. He did not provide further details.

However, a senior official of the University who is not authorized to speak on the incident said the first blast occured at "a mosque near the Gate 5 of the University killing some worshippers including a professor and injuring many."

"The second happened near Gate 1, a designated bus stop for students and other members of the University community. But there was no casualty there because transport activities were yet to resume as It was very early," the source said.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the bomb explosions but military sources said they bore the hallmark of Boko Haram insurgents who have stepped up suicide bombing in the area since 2014.

The incident was the first bomb blast recorded in the 43 years old university in the over six years old Boko Haram in the area.

It came nearly two weeks after two explosions killed three and injured five at the outskirts of the city.