UN expresses concern over threat to peaceful polls

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-
moon has expressed concern that insecurity in
Northeast may have dire consequences on next
month’s elections.
He said the prevailing attacks by members of the
Boko Haram sect pose threat to peaceful conduct
of the elections on February 14 and 28.
The UN secretary said he will continue to rally UN
member nations to discuss how to tackle the
problem.
Ki-Moon observed that not only was the activities
of sect escalating the insurgents now pose threat
to peace in neighbouring countries, particularly
Cameroon.
In a statement at the UN headquarters, New York,
but made available by the National Information
Officer at the United Nations Information Centre
(UNIC), Oluseyi Soremekun, the UN secretary urged
the insurgents to embrace peace in the interest of
humanity.
It reads: “We face another grave test as Nigeria
readies for its election next month. Boko Haram
has continued its violence, killing Christians and
Muslims, kidnapping even more women and
children, and destroying churches and mosques.
“Mayhem has spread across the region, and is
now having a direct impact on Cameroon and
other countries.