Sad event occurred again in the Gujba community, Yobe State when suspected Boko Haram sect gunmen struck as usual at the College of Agriculture, killing students when they were sleeping in their hostels around 3.a.m, CEOAFRICA.com gathered.

The gunmen, according to sources, also moved to other houses in the community, where they killed residents at will, before blocking the Damaturu-Maiduguri road and killed travelers.

Number of those killed after the triple attack has risen to 78, while several others are still missing.

Our sources disclosed that some members of the community said the gunmen wore military camouflage with black bandanas round their heads, while the soldiers arrived the scene two hours after the gunmen had left.

Speaking to newsmen about the incident, military spokesperson, Eli Lazarus, said that the security forces were at the scene, but that details on the number of the dead and injured were not yet available.

 “It was carried out by Boko Haram terrorists, who went into the school and opened fire on students while they were sleeping,” he added.

Also, the Provost of the College, Molima Idi Mato explained that the gunmen attacked the students while they were sleeping in their hostels and opened fire at them. He added that most of the surviving students have fled, and that students mostly between the ages of 18 and 22 were affected.

One of the surviving students, Idris, who would not give his first name, said: “They started gathering students into groups outside, then they opened fire and killed one group and then moved onto the next group and killed them.

“It was so terrible. They came with guns around 1a.m. and went directly to the male hostel and opened fire on them”

Another eyewitness, a taxi driver explained that the students were running out crying for help, while some of them were gunned down in the process.

Yobe has seen a series of brutal attacks targeting students in recent months, all blamed on Boko Haram.

It was also gathered that gunmen blocked Damaturu-Maiduguri Road, shooting indiscriminately and killing travelers.

An eyewitness, who was on his way to Maiduguri, told the media that at least 20 persons were killed.

The witness said: “The situation is terrible. They blocked our way, and were spraying people with bullets.

“Some of us managed to run into the bush. At least, 20 persons were shot dead in the three buses before us.”

The incident happened as the nation prepares for the 53^rd independence anniversary on October 1.