The authorities of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi have announced the closure of the institution following the death of four students and injury of more than eight in bridge collapse.
The pedestrian bridge which links one of the hostels and another building containing lecture rooms at the Gubi campus of the university collapsed following a downpour.
The vice chancellor of the of the institution, Prof Muhammed Abdulaziz, who announced the closure of the school at a press conference held in Bauchi yesterday, said the bridge caved in Monday night.
It was gathered that many students were crossing the temporary bridge when it collapsed.
“The students were trying to return to their hostels in the midst of the rain last night (Monday) when the connecting bridge between their reading area and their hostels collapsed and the students drowned.
“While the full details of the occurrence are being awaited, others who were injured are currently receiving treatment in the university medical centre.”
Abdulaziz said missing students were yet to be ascertained, but added that some students’ identification cards were recovered within the campus.
He said firefighters and the security agencies had moved to the campus to carry out search and rescue operations.
