Nigeria tightens security after pro-Biafran groups calls for boycott of election
Pull quote: "This is an unprecedented deployment. It’s an aberration. It’s like we are in a war situation. For God’s sake, this is an election." Lagos — Voters in Anambra state, south-east Nigeria, go the polls to elect a new governor this weekend, with security tight after a call from a pro-Biafran group for people to boycott the polls. The result of Saturday’s election is unlikely to change anything politically at national level but proceedings are being watched closely because of what analysts have said are "unprecedented" measures to stop unrest. Nigeria’s federal police said it is sending 26,000 extra police officers, including counter-terrorism and bomb disposal specialists, sniffer and attack dogs. Three surveillance helicopters will monitor proceedings from the air, while there will be 10 gunboats on the river Niger, plus 15 armoured personnel carriers and 303 patrol vehicles. Police said the measures were "to ensure adequate security and safety of lives and properties befor...
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