#News: Deadly Car Bomb Explodes After President's Rally In Nigeria

Started by HuffingtonPost, Feb 02, 2015, 07:31 PM

HuffingtonPost



(Adds context)                

GOMBE, Nigeria, Feb 2 (Reuters) - A car bomb went off near a  stadium in the northeastern Nigerian city of Gombe on Monday, a  few minutes after President Goodluck Jonathan left a party rally  there.                

A Reuters photographer said the bomb exploded about 200  meters (220 yards) from the stadium, engulfing the car in flames  and killing at least one bystander and wounding seven.                

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, although  suspicion is likely to fall on Islamist militant group Boko  Haram, which has attacked Gombe several times. On Sunday a  suicide bombing near a mosque in the market area there killed  five people and wounded eight.                

Nigeria is due to hold presidential elections on Feb. 14,  pitting the ruling People's Democratic Party's Jonathan against  former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari for the opposition All  Progressives Congress.                

Both candidates are wrapping up their campaigns for what is  expected to be the most closely fought election since the end of  military rule in 1999.      (Reporting by Afolabi Sotunde; Additional reporting by Emma  Ande; Writing by Julia Payne; Editing by Tim Cocks and Louise  Ireland)
Source: huffingtonPost