Category Archives: Nigeria

Nigeria Election Results Due to Start Trickling In

After an election weekend that was marred by confusion and occasional violence, results from Nigeria’s presidential and parliamentary elections is due to start trickling in late Monday/early Tuesday, however the opposition party has already rejected the outcome in Rivers state and has stated that the polls were “a sham and a charade,” prompting fears that violence may erupt once the results are announced.

Violence and Confusion

Saturday’s parliamentary and presidential elections were marred by technical hitches and violence linked to Boko Haram.

Voting in some parts of Nigeria was extended to Sunday after problems occurred with the new electronic card readers. President Goodluck Jonathan was amongst those whose registration to vote was delayed because of the technology, which was introduced in order to prevent fraud. His Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which opposed the card readers, called it a “huge national embarrassment,” while election commission chief Attahiru Jega disclosed that only a fraction of the 150,000 card readers being used nationwide had failed.

Boko Haram maintained its promise of disrupting the elections, attacking several polling stations in northeastern Nigeria, which prompted officials to declare a curfew in Bauchi state after fighting erupted between troops and the insurgents.

• 29 March – In the wake of troops fighting Boko Haram fighters outside of Bauchi city, the state capital of Bauchi, authorities have imposed an indefinite lockdown on three areas. On the ground sources have reported that late Sunday, soldiers, supported by two fighter jets, intercepted the militants who were in 20 pick-up trucks at Dungulbe village, which is located seven kilometres (four miles) from the state capital. The troops engaged them in fierce fighting, with a military officer in the city disclosing “the fighter jets are pounding the enemy position while ground troops are engaging them… The operation is still on-going but the terrorists have suffered serious losses and are in disarray.” Residents reported that the insurgents arrived in Dungulbe at around 10:00 am (0900 GMT) and set up camp in preparation for an invasion of the city. The militants are believed to have come through the town of Alkaleri, which is 60 kilometres (37 miles) away, where they carried out a dawn raid on Saturday. A spokesman for the Bacuhi state governor disclosed that an indefinite, round-the-clock curfew had been imposed on three areas, Bauchi, Kirfi and Alkaleri, because of the fighting, stating that it was imposed in order to “…enable security agencies to restore normalcy in the affected areas… By this curfew, residents of the three affected local governments are to remain in their homes until further notice.” The main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Bauchi state governorship, Mohammed Abullahi Abubakar, has blamed the curfew on his political opponents, claiming “the curfew was only an attempt by the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) to tinker with the results of the elections.”
• 28 March – At least seven people were killed in separate attacks in the northeastern Nigerian state of Gombe on Saturday, with suspected Boko Haram militants opening fire on voters at polling stations. The first attacks took place in the neighbouring villages of Birin Bolawa and Birin Fulani in the Nafada district of Gombe, which has been repeatedly targeted by the militant group. According to an election official, “we could hear the gunmen shouting, ‘Didn’t we warn you about staying away from (the) election?’” The election official disclosed that the masked gunmen arrived in Birin Bolawa in a pickup truck at around 8:30 AM (0730 GMT), shortly after accreditation for Saturday’s presidential elections had begun. One voter was shot dead while many civilians fled in panic. On the ground sources have disclosed that the gunmen had set fire to all the election materials. The second attack occurred at about 9:15AM. At about 11:30 AM, gunmen stormed the town of Dukku, 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the state capital Gombe. Residents reported that the gunmen shot randomly as voters queued up at polling stations. At least three people, including a state assembly lawmaker, were killed in the attack. Last month, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau warned in a video message that the militants would disrupt Saturday’s general elections, which they have called “un-Islamic.” Officials have disclosed that there were twenty-eight Boko Haram attacks in the three weeks after the delay was announced, compared with eighteen that occurred in the three weeks beforehand, effectively representing an increase of 56 percent.
  • Police officials disclosed Saturday morning that an explosion struck a polling station at a primary school in the city of Awka. The attack, which occurred Saturday morning, claimed no casualties. According to Uche Eze, police spokesman for Anambra state, of which Awka is the capital, “no lives were lost and none injured. The police bomb squad has moved in.” The state of Anambra has often been affected by political thuggery around election time.
  • Gunmen shot dead a Nigerian soldier in an ambush that occurred in the southern oil hub of Port Harcourt on Saturday. According to Brigadier-General K.A. Essien confirmed the attack however military officials have not released any further details pertaining to the incident.
  • On Saturday, a bomb exploded at a polling station in a primary school in the northeastern city of Enugu. The attack occurred hours before the polling station opened. Enugu police spokesman Stephen Lar confirmed that attack, disclosing, “no life was lost but there were blood stains on the vehicle that conveyed the bomb showing the occupant may have been injured.”
  • Suspected Boko Haram gunmen attacked public buildings and security checkpoints in the northeastern town of Alkaleri. According to on the ground sources, a police station, the office of the paramilitary Nigeria Security and Civil Defense force and the local electoral commission premises were all burned to the ground.
  • An official disclosed Saturday that suspected Boko Haram gunmen beheaded twenty-three people and set fire to homes in Buratai, northeastern Nigeria, on the eve of the country’s general elections. According to Mohammed Adamu, who represents the town, which is located 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Borno’s capital Maiduguri, “there was an attack on Buratai late Friday by gunmen suspected to be insurgents…They beheaded 23 people and set homes on fire,” adding “at least half the village has been burnt.” At least thirty-two people were injured in the attack. While further details pertaining to the incident were not immediately available, the attack is consistent with Boko Haram’s past strikes in the area.

Results

While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initially indicated that the first results from 120,000 polling stations nationwide would be available Sunday evening, officials have since pushed this back, with the results now not expected to be released until either late Monday or early Tuesday. Sources have disclosed that turnout amongst the 56.7 million registered voters appears to have been high.

As millions of Nigerians wait for the results, tensions remain high and fears are growing that violence, which already erupted in some parts of the country on Sunday, may spread.

Thousands of supporters of the main opposition party demonstrated on Sunday in the state of Rivers, with many calling for the cancellation of elections locally over alleged irregularities. This prompted local police to fire warning shots in a bid to disperse the crowd. One group stoned a car they though was carrying the ballots. Demonstrators supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) converged on the local offices of the INEC in the state capital, Port Harcourt. According to River state governorship candidate Dakuku Peterside, “we are here to register our protest that there was no election in Rivers state yesterday (Saturday).” Mr Peterside alleges that APC supporters across the southern state were “disenfranchised by INEC, working in connivance with (the) PDP.” He alleges that results sheets, which in Nigerian elections are given at every polling station to both the local electoral commission and party representatives after the count, were not provided and that instead “INEC in collaboration with (the) Peoples Democratic Party hijacked the materials and were filling them in private homes for the PDP.” Mr Peterside has called for the presidential and parliamentary elections to be re-held in the state. Protests continued on Monday, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse the demonstration, which was carried out by at least 100 female APC protesters. INEC chairman Attahiru Jega has disclosed that he is investigating the complaints. The southern state is seen as a key battleground for the presidential election.

In an increasing sign that the opposition will likely challenge the results, the APC governor of the southern Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, denounced the conduct of the election in his region, accusing the military of meddling in the result. Meanwhile in Bauchi state, hundreds of youths gathered outside the INEC office shouting APC slogans and shouting that they would protect their vote from rigging. The military fired warning shots to disperse the crowds.

Despite some violence and technical difficulties, on Monday, the African Union (AU) praised the conduct of Nigeria’s general election however officials have urged the political parties to resolve any disputes in court. In its preliminary findings, the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) disclosed that the vote was “conducted in a peaceful atmosphere within the framework that satisfactorily meets the continental and regional principles of democratic elections.”  Regional bloc ECOWAS also urged Nigerians to accept the results.

The United Nations Secretary General also congratulated Nigeria for holding a “largely peaceful and orderly” ballot, however Ban Ki-moon called on citizens to “maintain a peaceful atmosphere and to exercise patients.” The Secretary also condemned attacks carried out by Boko Haram and other militants who attempted to disrupt the presidential and parliamentary polls.

Nigeria Closes Borders Ahead of Elections

Days before presidential elections are due to take place, Nigeria has ramped up security nationwide, shutting land and sea borders and vowing to crack down on any political unrest.

On 25 March, the Nigerian Ministry of Interior confirmed that all land and maritime borders, with the exclusion of airports, will be closed between 0000 LT 25 March 2015 until 0000 LT 28 March 2015. In a statement released Wednesday, the ministry disclosed that the move, which was ordered by President Goodluck Jonathan, was designed “to allow for peaceful conduct of the forthcoming national elections,” which will take place on 28 March. In past elections in Nigeria, security has been a major issue, with politically linked violence often occurring between supporters of rival parties. The move comes just a day after Nigeria’s federal police chief ordered the “total restriction” of vehicles between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on election day, which excludes emergency services and others on “essential duties.”

Fears that these elections could spark unrest have resulted in the president on Wednesday warning that the government will “not tolerate any form of violence during or after the polls.” He further disclosed that he is “…giving my total commitment to peaceful elections in the country, not because I am persuaded to do so but because I believe in it.” During the last presidential elections, which were held in 2011, some 1,000 people were killed after clashes erupted when opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari lost to Goodluck Jonathan. The two men are again contesting this year’s elections, with many predicting that the elections will be tightly contested.

In a bid to prevent any violence in the wake of Saturday’s election, the two main presidential candidates have signed a peace accord. Sources have disclosed that ex-military ruler Abdussalami Abubaker brokered the deal in talks that were held between Jonathan and Buhari. The peace agreement comes days after Nigeria’s Peace Committee raised concerns that campaigning had been marred by hate speech. However doubts remain as to whether or not such an agreement will last as Nigeria’s human rights commission has reported that nearly sixty people have been killed already in election-linked violence despite all the candidates agreeing for a peaceful poll.

Security has been the major concern ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections, which were postponed from the initial February 14 date because of military operations targeting Boko Haram. While over the past several weeks, a coalition, composed of Nigerian, Chadian, Cameroonian and Nigerien forces have claimed a series of success, forcing the militants out of captured territory in the northeastern region of the country, fears that the insurgents may carry out a bombing campaign against voters and polling stations remain high as over the past few weeks, Boko Haram fighters have returned back to carrying out suicide attacks targeting what the military has called “soft” targets, mainly markets and bus stations in the north. On Wednesday, Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), called for vigilance in crowded places before, during and after Saturday’s election, noting that the threat remains high. Marily Ogar, spokeswoman for the DSS, told reporters, “voters are advised to be wary of persons in loose or bulky midriff clothing, which are inappropriate for the weather… Look out for unattended bags, luggage, dustbins, strange containers and other suspicious items,” adding that any “suspicious persons, activities and movements should be promptly reported to security agents.” The DSS has also urged that cars, motorbikes and three-wheel motorised taxis should be parked away from polling stations and that shops and markets remain closed.

The heightened security measures will remain in place until after gubernatorial and state assembly polls, which will take place on 11 April.

Boko Haram Pledges Allegiance to IS

In an audio message posted online Saturday, Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group. The statement comes on the same day as three bombs exploded in northeastern Nigeria and comes as both militant groups are increasingly under pressure from regional forces.

Boko Haram Claims Allegiance

In the audio message, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau stated “we announce our allegiance to the Caliph of the Muslims, Ibrahim ibn Awad ibn Ibrahim al-Husseini al-Qurashi,” referring to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Shekau also called on “…Muslims everywhere to pledge allegiance to the caliph.” The eight-minute speech, in which Shekau is not shown, was posted on a Twitter account that is used by Boko Haram and subtitled in English, French and Arabic. The move of pledging allegiance is no surprise however it comes at a time when Boko Haram is under growing pressure as regional forces have been targeting towns and villages under the militant group’s control. Furthermore, the announcement can be seen as an almost desperate move by an Islamist group attempting to remain relevant as it increasingly looses territory in northeastern Nigeria.

While Shekau had previously mentioned al-Baghdadi in video messages, until now he stopped short of pledging formal allegiance; however there have been increasing signs that the militant group has been seeking closer ties with IS. Last year, months after IS grabbed control of swathes of territory in eastern Syria and across northern and western Iraq, and announced the establishment of a caliphate, Shekau announced that the captured town of Gwoza, in Borno state, was part of a caliphate. In recent weeks, Boko Haram has also been increasingly producing videos that resemble IS group propaganda. This includes a video that was released last week, which purported to show the beheading of two men. This video demonstrates that the militant group is increasingly seeking inspiration from global militant networks, including IS.

While it is difficult to assess the immediate effect of Shekau’s statement, the announcement of an allegiance comes as both militant groups are increasingly being targeted by regional forces.

Boko Haram’s announcement comes as the militant group has been forced out of their captured territory by the Nigerian army and regional allies, a move that has forced the militant group to return to its previous campaign of urban guerrilla warfare. Similarly, while IS seized territory across Iraq and Syria last year, its expansion in its core territories has been stalled by local forces that have been backed by the United States. The announcement of allegiance is something that both groups need at the moment and will likely aid them in raising morale amongst their fighters and garner further global attention. For Boko Haram legitimacy will likely help its commanders in recruiting, funding and logistics as the militant group seeks to expand its operations in West Africa, particularly into neighbouring Cameroon and Chad. In turn, IS receives more legitimacy as a global caliphate.   However the allegiance between Boko Haram and IS will only be official when an IS leader, such as spokesman Abu Mohammed al Adnani, issues a statement – a move that may occur in the coming days.

Boko Haram Attacks Maiduguri

Early Saturday, four bomb blasts killed at least fifty-eight people in the northeastern city of Maiduguri in what was the worst attack since Boko Haram attempted to seized the town in two major assaults earlier this year. Female suicide bomber are believed to have acted for the group, launching a series of attacks in markets while another attack was reported at a bus station.

On Saturday, a woman with explosives strapped to her body blew herself up at about 11:20 am (1020 GMT) at Baga fish market in the Borno state capital city, Maiduguri. About an hour later, another blast targeted the Post Office shopping area, which is located near the market. A further series of bombs targeted the popular Monday Market, causing chaos as locals voiced anger at security forces who struggled to control the scene. Just after 1:00 pm, a fourth blast targeted a used car lot, which is located next to the busy Borno Express bus terminal. In a fifth incident, a car bomb exploded at a military checkpoint 75 kilometres outside the city. A soldier and two members of a civilian defence unit were injured. Sources have reported that the attack had wanted to reach Maiduguri.

The fear of further attacks prompted the closure of all businesses in Maiduguri. Sources have indicated that the second and third attacks were also carried out by suicide bombers however police officials have not provided any details. Borno’s police commissioner Clement Adoba indicated that the death toll stood at 58 “for the three locations” and 143 wounded, however officials have warned that the death toll is likely to rise over the coming days. Borno state’s Justice Commissioner Kaka Shehu has blamed the attack on Boko Haram, stating that it is a response to the defeats that they have suffered in recent weeks.

Female Suspected of Being Suicide Bomber Beaten to Death by Mob

Police and eyewitnesses have reported that on Sunday, a mob beat a woman to death in the northeastern Nigerian city of Bauchi in the belief that she was a suicide bomber.

According to Bauchi state police spokesman Haruna Mohammed, “at about 0700 hours (0600 GMT), information at our disposal revealed that a yet to be identified lady who allegedly refused to allow herself to be screened at the entrance of Muda Lawal Market Bauchi was attacked by an irate mob.” On the ground sources have disclosed that the woman, who was said to have been a teenager, was attacked when she refused to be screened at the entrance to the market. Sources have indicated that the woman came under suspicion when two bottles were found strapped to both sides of her waist after she had refused to pass a metal detector. Witnesses have indicated that the woman was first beaten, with the mob than placing a tire covered with petrol over her head and setting it on fire. Police officials have stated that they arrived at the scene after the woman had already been killed. No arrests have been made. The exact circumstances of her death remain unclear, with some reports suggesting that she had been accompanied by another woman while other reports stating that she had been with a male escort. No explosives had been found on her.

A series of suicide bombings in northeastern Nigeria over the past week, all of which have been blamed on Boko Haram militants, have risen tensions across the region as the government has claimed that the tide will soon turn against the militant group. With a number of deadly attacks in recent weeks carried out by female suicide bombers, it is possible that the woman in this incident had been sent in to see whether it was possible to enter the mrket without being searched. Boko Haram in recent months has increasingly become dependent on using female suicide bombers to carry out deadly attacks, with young women and teenagers used to carry explosives into busy markets and bus stations. This has raised fears that some of the hundreds of kidnap victims are now being forced into carrying out bomb attacks either by detonating the explosives themselves or by carrying devices that are then remotely triggered.

Gunmen Kidnap American in Central Nigeria

Gunmen in central Nigeria have kidnapped an American woman doing missionary work.

According to Kogi state police spokesman Sola Collins Adebayo, Phyllis Sortor “was whisked away at around 10:00 am (0900 GMT) Monday” by masked gunmen, with officials indicating that ransom is the suspected motive for the kidnapping. According to the police spokesman, the attack took place in the village of Emiworo, where the missionary from the Free Methodist Church ran a community organization within the premises of a school that was linked to her church. Mr Adebayo has indicated that the kidnappers were “unknown gunmen…(who) came into the school premises shooting sporadically to scare away people before taking (the hostage) away into the bush…. We are hopeful of finding her. Our suspicion is that she was picked up for ransom.” Officials have indicated that there has been no indication that Boko Haram may be linked to Monday’s kidnapping.

A statement released by the Free Methodist Church confirmed that Ms Sortor was kidnapped, with Bishop David Kendall stating “the US Embassy has been notified, and the State Department and the FBI are working with local authorities to find and rescue her,” adding “we are calling on the US church to join together in prayer for Phyllis’ safety and speedy release.”

Foreign nationals have often been kidnapped in Nigeria by local gangs who typically release hostages once a ransom payment has been made. Such kidnappings are particularly common in the southern region of the country, especially in the oil-producing Niger Delta, where expatriates working with large oil companies have been frequently targeted. A number of foreigners have also been kidnapped in the northern region of the country, however those kidnappings have been attributed to either Boko Haram or the linked Islamist group Ansaru. Such kidnappings are different to those that occur in the south as they are not necessarily motivated by a desire for ransom. In some cases, foreigners kidnapped by Islamist groups operating in northern Nigeria have been killed while in captivity.