By M. Bilal Kenasari
WASHINGTON
Nigeria’s upcoming national elections is the reason for the increased number of attacks by Boko Haram in the country’s northeastern region, the U.S. said Tuesday.
“Boko Haram has tended to, particularly around something like an election, use political issues or sensitivities to try and inflame tensions,” said State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf. “We've seen that as one of their tactics, and that's why it's so important to move forward with the election, because we believe it's important.”
Elections are scheduled for Feb. 15, the fifth such poll since the Western African country adopted civilian rule in 1999.
Dozens of residents were killed and tens of thousands have fled their homes to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, and to neighboring countries following attacks in recent weeks.
Boko Haram last week staged an attack on the Multinational Joint Task Force in Baga in Borno that led to reports that the border town had fallen under the full control of the insurgents. The task force is comprised of armed forces from Chad, Niger and Nigeria.
Following the attack, thousands of Baga residents reportedly fled to surrounding areas and sought refuge in neighboring Chad and Niger.
Thousands of Nigerians have been killed since Boko Haram launched its violent campaign in 2009 following the extrajudicial murder of its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, while he was in police custody.
The group has also been blamed for the destruction of public infrastructure, private businesses and the displacement of at least 6 million Nigerians.
