April 6: Today in Nigeria history, 87 Niger citizens were deported over vote-rigging concerns

• Nigeria deported 87 over vote-rigging concerns
• Gunmen attacked Adamawa Deputy Governor’s residence, killed 11

According to Arthur Schopenhauer, newspapers are the second hand of history. This hand, however, is usually not only of inferior metal to the other hands, it also seldom works properly.

Every historical fact deserves to be preserved. No matter how minor, every feature reflects something wonderful about who we are, so we must respect them. Making predictions for the future requires that we consider both the past’s achievements and errors.

In an effort to raise awareness or preserve our memories as citizens of this country by reflecting on the past, WITHIN NIGERIA highlighted two remarkable events that have shaped every April 6 in the history of this country, Nigeria.

Nigeria deported 87 over vote-rigging concerns

On this day, April 6, Nigeria deported 87 Niger nationals amid concerns they may have been involved in an attempt to rig this month’s parliamentary elections.

The news came after Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said the postponement of the polls demonstrated that the country was serious about holding “free and fair elections”.

A senior immigration official said on Wednesday that the 87 deportees had been in possession of voter registration cards but that they would not say how they got them.

“All the 87 deportees crossed into Nigeria without valid papers and the arrest of some of them at polling stations last week created fears they could be used in electoral malpractice,”

Haruna Sa’idu Dawop, the head of immigration in Bauchi state, told French press agency Afp.
Niger is located across Nigeria’s northern border and it has been alleged in the past that Nigerian politicians have recruited people, including Niger nationals, to help rig elections.

Parliamentary elections were due to be held last weekend but they have since been postponed twice as a result of organisational problems.

They will now be held this Saturday, with presidential and state polls having been pushed back to 16 and 26 April respectively.

Gunmen attacked Adamawa Deputy Governor’s residence, killed 11

On this day, April 6 in 2013, at least 11 people were killed in an early morning attack on Midlu village in Adamawa state, while staging an attack on the residence of the state’s Deputy Governor.

The Deputy Governor’s country home where he normally spends his weekend was alleged attacked by the gunmen who murdered two police guards attached to his house before setting the building ablaze. The raid reportedly lasted over two hours.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mohammed Ibrahim, confirmed the attack stating that unidentified gunmen raided Midlu village, in Madagali local government area of the state, and attacked the home of the state deputy governor, Bala Ngalari.

The police officer failed to provide any more details.

“So far, the information available to me is that 11 people lost their lives in the village, including two private security men at the deputy governor’s house” Mr. Ibrahim said.

However, agency reports, say the gunmen attacked several houses, calling out names and shooting residents leaving some dead, and others injured.