Ochoge, a fifth-year chemical engineering student, told Compass that five Christian students were injured. "Some Christian students have been taken to hospitals in the town, while others have left for medical attention out of the town," he said.

Christian students and lecturers told Compass that since the introduction of sharia in Niger state five years ago, pressure has mounted on the university administration to impose the Islamic code on Christians. As a result, school officials have set up a committee to design guidelines that will allow the enforcement of sharia.

David Jimoh, Patron of the FCS and a lecturer at the university, told Compass that the attack on Christians there did not come as a surprise.

"For years now, we've had to contend with problems that have their roots in religious fundamentalism, especially with the implementation of the sharia in Niger state," Jimoh said.

He noted that the university has refused to allow Christians to build a chapel, while Muslims have had a mosque constructed on the campus.

At the time Compass visited the university's Bosso campus the second week of October, the atmosphere was still tense and school activities were paralyzed.

Promise of Revenge

Authorities at the university confirmed the attack on the Christians and announced the suspension of the Muslim students responsible.