Boko Haram warns residents not to vote

monjola sotubo

February 14, 2015 8:09 PM

The terrorists invaded Hina, Dadin Kowa and Zambuk in the state and also attacked the military barracks but were eventually repelled by troops after hours of fierce fighting.

Boko Haram insurgents, on February 14, launched an attack on Gombe State and warned residents not to participate in the upcoming general elections.

"We are under attack now. Boko Haram are trying to invade our town. They are very close by here and the soldiers are engaging them. We've all rushed back inside our houses now. Everywhere is quiet except for the sounds of shooting and explosions," a resident Jummai Aliyu told The Associated Press.

The militants however left a threatening note urging residents not to show up at polling booths for the elections which are slated to begin on March 28.

“Whoever professes Islam should distance himself from polling stations, because we are going to attack polling booths,” the note, written in Hausa read.

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was forced to postpone the elections by six weeks after the nation’s security agencies warned that they would be too busy fighting Boko Haram to provide protection during the polls.

National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who was at the forefront of calls for a poll shift, has said that all known Boko Haram camps would be destroyed within the six week period.

monjola sotubo