Nairobi. .- Several violent incidents were recorded in the last hours in northern Nigeria, a Muslim majority, to protest the results of Saturday's presidential elections, showing a near-certain victory of the highest representative of the country, Goodluck Jonathan, Christian south. The local press reported today that a crowd surrounded the jail in Zaria, set fire to the building and forced the guards to open the doors to free inmates.
The Government has imposed a curfew throughout the day in the state of Kaduna (north central), where the prison is located, and has deployed security officers to quell the protests. Also, the private residence of Vice President of Nigeria, Namadi Sambo, was destroyed today by several protesters, unhappy with the unofficial results provided by the Nigerian media.
These disturbances, which began yesterday after the media leaked that Jonathan was emerging as the clear winner of the vote, spread to other states in the north, mostly Muslim. Security forces found the first protests in Bauchi and Gombe states, in which at least 10 people died and several buildings and cars were torched.
Later, in the state of Sokoto, the authorities were forced to deploy armed officers to disperse a crowd that had burned several homes and buildings in its path. Also the Nigerian capital, Abuja, was the scene of several violent episodes. Members of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC, in English) of the former head of state and presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari, contested the results in various states of Africa's most populous country, claiming that the figures provided did not reflect the number of voters.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has not yet announced official results, although Nigerian media ensure that Jonathan, a Catholic from the south, with 60 percent of the vote by 32 of Buhari. While waiting to know the official figures, the authorities have tightened security at key points of the country as the capital.
International observer missions endorsed the presidential vote and described as "clean and fair," despite isolated incidents of violence. During the legislative elections of the day 9-postponed twice for lack of basic electoral material, "39 people were killed in various violent incidents related to the elections.
The presidential election last Saturday was the second of a series of three calls, with legislative elections held on 9 and state elections, which will take place on February 26. 
The Government has imposed a curfew throughout the day in the state of Kaduna (north central), where the prison is located, and has deployed security officers to quell the protests. Also, the private residence of Vice President of Nigeria, Namadi Sambo, was destroyed today by several protesters, unhappy with the unofficial results provided by the Nigerian media.
These disturbances, which began yesterday after the media leaked that Jonathan was emerging as the clear winner of the vote, spread to other states in the north, mostly Muslim. Security forces found the first protests in Bauchi and Gombe states, in which at least 10 people died and several buildings and cars were torched.
Later, in the state of Sokoto, the authorities were forced to deploy armed officers to disperse a crowd that had burned several homes and buildings in its path. Also the Nigerian capital, Abuja, was the scene of several violent episodes. Members of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC, in English) of the former head of state and presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari, contested the results in various states of Africa's most populous country, claiming that the figures provided did not reflect the number of voters.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has not yet announced official results, although Nigerian media ensure that Jonathan, a Catholic from the south, with 60 percent of the vote by 32 of Buhari. While waiting to know the official figures, the authorities have tightened security at key points of the country as the capital.
International observer missions endorsed the presidential vote and described as "clean and fair," despite isolated incidents of violence. During the legislative elections of the day 9-postponed twice for lack of basic electoral material, "39 people were killed in various violent incidents related to the elections.
The presidential election last Saturday was the second of a series of three calls, with legislative elections held on 9 and state elections, which will take place on February 26.
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