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Agence France-Presse

Sixteen people were killed on Saturday in electoral violence across Nigeria during presidential and parliamentary elections, a network of civil society organisations said.
The Situation Room umbrella group of pro-democracy groups, which is monitoring the vote, said on Twitter that “16 deaths have been recorded across eight states”.
Six people were killed in the southern state of Rivers, which has long been a flashpoint for violence, while two others were killed in neighbouring Bayelsa.
Two people were killed in Borno and Yobe states in the northeast; two in the north central state of Kogi; and two in Ebonyi, in the southeast.

One person was killed in Zamfara, in the northwest, and another in Lagos, in the southwest, which also saw ballot boxes and papers set on fire, the monitors said.
There were reports of vote-buying in six states, they added in a mid-afternoon update.
Electoral violence, which has marred previous votes in Africa’s most populous country, was relatively low compared to other years. Most voting took place without incident.
Polls open in Nigerian election as President Buhari seeks second term
Nigeria’s Centre for Crisis Communication, which comprises representatives from security agencies, on Friday identified 12 election flashpoints around the country.
Analysts SBM Intelligence said 233 people were killed in 67 incidents of election-related violence from last October to Friday – an average of two people per day.
In oil-rich Rivers, police said unknown gunmen shot dead a former local government leader and his brother in the Andoni area of the state.

Both were members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party.
Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni said “hoodlums” dressed in military uniforms also invaded some polling stations in the Okrika area of the state and snatched voting materials.
“Police have moved in to restore order in Okrika and INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) is making efforts to ensure voters are not disenfranchised in the area,” he said.
At one polling unit in the Yaba area of Lagos, AFP reporters witnessed bloody fights between youths, as unknown men distributed cash to waiting groups.
There were also reports of voter intimidation by thugs, according to local residents.
But in many other areas, voting went on without disruption.


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Africa

At least 16 people killed in Nigeria election day violence

A security guard gestures as people gather to cast their vote during Nigeria's presidential election at Capital School polling unit, in Yola, Adamawa State. Photo: Reuters

An election official records a voter identity at a polling station in Lagos, Nigeria, on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Nigerians began voting in Africa’s biggest democracy in a tight presidential race between incumbent Muhammadu Buhari and pro-market multimillionaire Atiku Abubakar. Photographer: George Osodi/Bloomberg

People queue during Nigeria's presidential election at Capital School polling unit, in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria February 23, 2019. REUTERS/Nyancho NwaNri

Polls open in Nigerian election as President Buhari seeks second term

People show they ID cards as they stand in line to vote in Daura, Katsina State, northwest Nigeria, on February 23, 2019. - Nigerians began voting for a new president on February 23 after a week-long delay that has raised political tempers, sparked conspiracy claims and stoked fears of violence. Some 120,000 polling stations began opening from 0700 GMT, although there were indications of a delay in the delivery of some materials and deployment of staff, AFP reporters said. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP)

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari arrives to cast his vote in Daura. Photo: AP

News

World

Country’s President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking a second term in office


Country’s President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking a second term in office.
