NIGERIA: Start of elections marred by a bomb blast at election office, killing at least 10 people

Record ID: 234739

  • Title: NIGERIA: Start of elections marred by a bomb blast at election office, killing at least 10 people
  • Date: 10th April 2011
  • Summary: SULEJA NIGERIA (APRIL 8, 2011) (REUTERS) CASUALTIES BEING BROUGHT TO HOSPITAL IN SULEJA
  • Embargoed: 25th April 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria, Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA7G0FXCXWXRI20ECGK6FARWIN8
  • Story Text: A bomb blast ripped into a Nigerian election office on Friday (April 8), killing at least 10 people and wounding a dozen more just hours before a new attempt to hold a delayed ballot.
    The explosion, and a political shooting in which four people died, shattered hopes of a smooth start to elections in Africa's most populous nation, holding its parliamentary ballot a week later than planned on Saturday (April 9) because of logistical chaos.
    Emergency workers said at least 10 people were killed in the explosion in Suleja, on the northwestern edge of the capital Abuja. Ambulances ferried dozens of wounded to local hospitals, but there were not enough medics to treat them.
    Nigeria is due to hold parliamentary elections on Saturday, presidential elections a week later and governorship polls in its 36 states on April 26.
    President Goodluck Jonathan, favourite to win the presidential vote, called the blast in Suleja a heinous attack and ordered security agencies to intensify efforts to protect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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