The Nigerian president escaped a bomb blast at his campaign rally Monday that occurred just minutes after his departure.
President Goodluck Jonathan had left the election rally in the northeastern city of Gombe after giving a speech about the country's security situation ahead of national elections in two weeks, according to Al-Jazeera America. The blasts left 18 people wounded and killed at least two people believed to be suicide bomber.
No group has come forward to claim responsibility for the attacks, but the government suspects Boko Haram. The terrorist group, whose name roughly translates as "Western education is forbidden," has attacked Gombe several times. On Sunday, a suicide bombing killed five people in the city, Voice of America reported. The Nigerian army stopped Boko Haram from taking control of Gombe. A Nigerian security officer said at least 500 militant fighters died in the battles Sunday, but the number has not been confirmed.
Civilians marched toward the fighting with hunting rifles, clubs and machetes expressing their desire to help the soldiers stop Boko Haram. Borno state governor Kashim Shettima applauded both the soldiers and civilians for their efforts and said he believed Boko Haram could be overcome.
Boko Haram attempted to seize the Borno state capital previously and failed. Chad and Cameroon repeatedly bombed Boko Haram fighters who held the town of Gamboru on the eastern fringe of Borno, Al-Jazeera Aneruca said.
Security analysts believe Maidguri, Borno's capital, will be attacked again before polling day because they believe it would undermine the Feb. 14 elections.
