Attacks intensify in Nigeria ahead of Feb 25 polls

By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu

KANO, Nigeria (AA) - Attacks have intensified in Nigeria ahead of Feb. 25 general elections where a new president, senators and House of Representatives will be chosen.

Four major presidential candidates are vying for the top job. The country's electoral body has pledged to hold free and fair polls.

The spate of attacks across the country have created fear among citizens.

On Sunday, gunmen attacked a police station in Anambra state, killing three officers, while another attack was reported in Kogi state on Tuesday after terrorists used explosives and destroyed the local government secretariat.

Also, the US Embassy in Nigeria has alerted its citizens in the country of possible protests and restricted movements on Feb. 25 and March 11, the days for presidential and National Assembly as well as governorship and state assembly elections.

The embassy in a notice on its website advised its nationals to avoid rallies as “they can turn violent with little or no notice.”

They also advised American citizens in Nigeria to have three days of food and water at home in case movement restrictions are extended beyond election days.

The notice, titled “Security Alert – Possible Protests Leading to Elections and Restricted Movements on Election Days,” said: “The government of Nigeria will restrict the movement of all personal vehicles on election days across the country.”

“Information from the government of Nigeria indicates that only law enforcement personnel and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accredited election observers will be allowed to move freely along the roads.

“Based on past election practice, we anticipate personal vehicles will be blocked from any and all attempted road movement from 00:00 until 18:00 February 25 and 12 midnight until 18:00 March 11,” it said.

“Please be advised that movement restrictions may be extended at any time. Be alert to the government of Nigeria’s information about the restrictions.”

The police spokesman in Anambra state, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed to Anadolu on Tuesday that gunmen shot repeatedly before gaining access to the police facility using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to destroy the buildings.

Ikenga said no arrests have been made so far but assured that security agencies would be on top of the situation to arrest the perpetrators.

He said the attack occurred in the town of Ogidi in the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

He recounted how the attack started.

“The hoodlums started shooting sporadically on approaching the area command and threw IEDs and petrol bombs into the premises before gaining entrance.

“Unfortunately, the buildings in the police facility were affected. The command observed with grave concern the loss of life and valuables as a result of this attack. We call for calm, as the police are resolute in depriving these criminal elements of the space they desire to perpetrate their evil acts and enhancing the safety of life and property in the state.”

Dr. Rukayya Yusuf Aliyu of the faculty of communication of Bayero University, Kano said the crisis emanated as a result of tensions due to unfavorable policies like the cashless policy, which has resulted in hardship among Nigerians.

She told Anadolu that the crisis also emanated as a result of creating uncertainty and desperation among politicians because it was perceived to be a way of crippling vote buying and electoral manipulation.

Aliyu said the spate of attacks may be a signal for possible violence during the pre- and post-election periods.

Last Thursday, gunmen attacked officials of INEC who were in training in the town of Ukpor in the Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.

There was also the abduction of 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps in the Ihiala area of the state, who were later rescued. Numerous police and INEC facilities have been attacked in the state, while in many instances, many have paid the supreme price.