Boko Haram advances as Nigerian voting continues

Suspected Boko Haram extremists attacked polling stations and destroyed election material in two northeastern towns, police said as Nigerians continued voting yesterday in certain areas that suffered technical glitches.

Fleeing residents said scores of the extremists were advancing on Nigeria’s northeastern city of Bauchi and soldiers were engaging them with heavy gunfire.

Fighter jets flew above the city and police spokesman Haruna Muhammad said security forces had stopped a convoy of 10 vehicles of “unidentified gunmen” at Dindima village, 10 kilometres from Bauchi.