Killings at BUK: My regret, by son of lecturer who died in Boko Haram ambush

The son of the late Dr. (Mrs) Cordelia Ololobo yesterday gave insight into the last moment of the Chief Lecturer of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Kano. She was one of the 15 worshippers killed at Bayero University, Kano by Boko (BUK) Haram on Sunday.

Speaking to Daily Sun at the family residence inside the college, her first son, Mr Prince, described the death of his mother as traumatic to the entire family, adding that they were yet to believe it. Mr. Prince Ololobo, who works in Abuja, recalled that he was in a church service in Abuja when he was informed of the attack by phone. He said that he immediately proceeded to Kano.

The late BUK victim, Prof. Andrew Leo & The late BUK student, Samson Okoro 

 His greatest regret, however, was that he never met his mother alive because she had already been moved to the theatre for the surgery when he arrived at the hospital.

 But a woman, who identified herself as a friend of the deceased, told the Daily Sun that soon after the attack on the worshippers, some of the survivors phoned one of the deceased’s son to tell him that their mother had been shot.
 According to the woman, who begged not to be named for fear of being attacked, the late Mrs Ololobo was first admitted into the Intensive Care Unit of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, adding that , when I arrived the hospital, I met her. Her eyes were open, but she could not talk.”

 She disclosed that 54-year-old deceased was operated for five hours, but could not make it.
 The woman further gave an account of the last time they were together a few days back, saying that she was lively and normal, adding that they discussed extensively.


 She remembered that one of the things they discussed was the need to relocate from Kano State after over 30 years of service, adding that as if she knew,” we both talked about the need to seek transfer of service or another employment elsewhere, giving the increasing danger posed by the insurgency of the sect in the state.

 Meanwhile, the burial plans of the Delta State-born woman would be unveiled on Friday, when her widower, Dr. Ololobo, who works in Bayelsa State, is expected to arrive Kano .
 Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai and other dignitaries were among sympathizers who besieged BUK and FCE yesterday.
 The minister was received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof Muhamad Yahusa Bello and some top management staff of the university
 Prof Rufai, who toured the scene at the old campus of the university campus regretted the unfortunate incident and prayed against its reoccurrence.
 Speaking later at the Government House, Kano , the minister commiserated with the people of the state and said that security had been beefed up around the university to ensure that such a thing would never be repeated in the state.

 “We feel sad that such a thing is happening and our wish is that such a thing is never allowed to happen again”, she stressed.
 Also, the Bishop of the Kano Diocese of Catholic Church, Bishop John Namaza Niyiring, yesterday visited the victims in hospitals. The Bishop was at the homes of the victims, including residences of the two late professors, where he prayed for the repose of their souls and the quick recovery of the wounded.
 Another undetonated bomb was discovered at the Sociology Department of BUK yesterday. It had been defused.