Mosques, churches, markets targeted for bombing – Foreign election observers

…Kano is safe-Local observers

A South Africa-based election observer body, Pan African Women’s Project, has raised the alarm over an alleged plan to attack sensitive locations in the country ahead of the general elections.

The publicity secretary of the body, Mphoentle Keitseng, told reporters in Kano Tuesday night that body had classified information on the planned attack.

”Following some classified information that reached us,  planned attacks/bomb explosions at some sensitive locations in some areas are targeted at  mosques and popular markets as well as churches.

“This is a message to Nigerian government, we are using this medium to speak with the Nigeria government to beef up security in all public areas such as mosques, churches and markets for protection.

”Following our consultation with various stakeholders with regards to the recent postponement of the 2019 general elections, we observed that the Nigerian government did not release the INEC fund on time which resulted in supply not being made to produce materials as expected for the elections.”

The spokesman of the Kano State Police Command, Haruna Abdullahi, said the command was not aware of such planned attacks, saying “the group did not share or contact us about the information.”

Abdullahi said the police command had taken adequate measures to ensure peaceful elections in the state.

Meanwhile, the leader of the coalition of domestic election observers in the state, Friday Maduka, yesterday told journalists that there was no cause for alarm as the state was safe.

“The various security agencies in the state have been able to set up a formidable security structure that guarantees safety of lives and property during and after the elections in the state.

“We wish to urge our entire colleagues coming to observe the elections in Kano State and other election duty officials not to be afraid. There is no cause for alarm as Kano State is peaceful and safe,” he said.