Nigerian president appeals for calm ahead of elections

Nigeria’s president deployed tens of thousands of police and army troops on foot and in armoured cars today, appealing for calm on the eve of countrywide municipal elections already marred by assassinations and other attacks.

An international rights group warned a “climate of impunity” could kindle further violence in Africa’s most populous nation of 126 million, where many complain true democracy remains elusive five years after elected civilians replaced brutal military rulers.