Bomb blast at Bayero University, Kano.

At least eight people have been killed in a gun and bomb attack at Bayero University, Kano, witnesses and police said on Sunday [Apr. 29].

Kano Police commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, confirmed to Premium Times that eight are confirmed dead and several injured. Witnesses say figure is higher. Mr. Idris added, "The situation is under control, Kano is now calm. The injured have been taken to hospital.

Reports suggest the violence may have targeted Christian students who were holding a religious service in one of the lecture theatres. An army spokesman said several wounded people had been taken to hospital. "The attack took place in one of the lecture theatres used as a place of worship by Christians", said Lt Iweha Ikedichi.

"There were casualties, but I don't have exact figures. Some have been rushed to local hospitals." He said soldiers and police had surrounded the university and were searching for the gunmen.

Mohammed Suleiman, a history lecturer at the university, said security guards had to run for their lives when the violence broke out."For over 30 minutes a series of bomb explosions and gun shots took over the old campus, around the academic blocks", he told Reuters news agency.

The AFP news agency said its reporter had counted six bodies at the university, and local police said the death toll could be higher. No group has said it launched the attack, but the Islamist militant Boko Haram group is active in Kano.