TheCable

The general presidential and national assembly election that began on Saturday may have cost the death of at least 25 people in a series of violent attacks, bombings and accidents across the country.

Top on the list is Boko Haram multiple attacks in Gombe and Yobe states. The attacks started on Friday in Buratai village, Borno state.

Kashim Shettima, governor Borno, confirmed that the militants killed at least 25 people in the attack.

“I received a report that 25 people have been killed at Buratai town and five people injured. My commissioner of education participated in the burial of those killed,” Shettima said.

The insurgents then launched several attacks on voters in northeast on Saturday, killing three in Yobe state and three more, including a policeman, in Nafada local government area of Gombe.

Shortly afterwards, another attack by the sect in Dukku left Umar Aminu, a member of the Gombe state house of assembly and parliamentary candidate for APC in Dukku, and eight others dead.

Fwaje Atajiri, police public relations officer (PPRO), Gombe, confirmed the attack, adding that details of the incident would be given after investigations were completed.

“There was an attack on the outskirts of Nafada in attempt to disrupt the elections. A joint team of military and policemen promptly moved to Dukku and pushed the insurgents to the bush,” he said.

Similarly, there were incidents of sporadic gunshots in Rivers state, where four persons, including a soldier, are feared dead.

Unknown gunmen opened fire at a vehicle convening security men around Whimpy area of Obio-Akpor, killing one of the security personnel on the spot.

This was confirmed by Essien Essien, a general and commander of the 2nd brigade, Nigeria army, Bori camp.

Essien also disclosed that the said soldier died at a Port Harcourt hospital he was rushed to.

There was also reports of sporadic gunshots in Buguma, Asari local government area.

Gunmen in the area hijacked electoral materials meant for Wards 4, 5, and 6 and torched some houses in Bera, Gokana local government area of the state.

In another event, a young man was stabbed to death in a fracas between supporters of PDP and APC in Kpite, Tai local government area during the accreditation exercise.

Also, there was another report that a voter was shot to death by a solider at Ward 3, Unit 002, Oghale-Eleme area.The slain man, identified as Chris, was allegedly killed because he prevented thugs from hijacking INEC materials.

In Ozuoha, Ikwerre local government area, one person was allegedly killed and another inflicted with machete cut.

Violence was also reported in Ikirun, Osun state, where a member of a political party, identified as Yomi Ademola, was killed.

The incident occurred at Idi-oro, Ikirun on Saturday morning, Ademola was said to have been shot twice in the premises of a primary school.

In Benue, a female ad hoc staffer of INEC and a commercial motorbike operator were killed in an accident on Saturday morning, along the Obussa-Ebonyi road, in Oju local government area of Benue state.

Confirming the incident, Louis Ochai, public relations officer of INEC in Benue, said the commission had sent agents for detailed report.