"We have evacuated two bodies of females we believe were suicide bombers behind the blast," a rescue worker told the agency.
President Goodluck Jonathan had already canceled a campaign stop in Damatore, in Nigeria's northern Yobe state, citing security concerns, but nevertheless spoke at the Gombe rally, according to Nigeria's Punch newspaper.
The upcoming election has also been marked by tensions as the opposition's candidate, Muhammadu Buhari has not shown up to debates with President Jonathan despite doing so at previous elections, according to Nigerian news website This Day Live.
The opposition's All Progressives Congress' (APC) contender is Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim from northern Nigeria, while the ruling People's Democratic Party's (PDP) President Goodluck Jonathan is a Christian from the south.
"Any person who incites or engages in acts of violence including by ordering, requesting, encouraging … crimes within ICC’s jurisdiction is liable to prosecution," an ICC official told Reuters.
The agency reports that rhetoric has also been heating up as a governor belonging to the ruling PDP urged his supporters to crush APC "cockroaches." In addition, the APC announced that it would set up a parallel government if it decides that the election is not fair.
The electoral commission is struggling as over a million internally displaced people have to be allowed to vote, according to Reuters. In addition, foreign observers announced that they will not be able to monitor elections in the area because of the unrest, according to AFP.
Multinational Offensive Against Boko Haram Continues
"Through these bombings, we seek to neutralize the enemy, and pave the way to the liberation of Gamboru" through a land operation, a Chadian officer told AFP on Sunday.
On Sunday, Boko Haram struck the city of Maiduguri, capital of Nigeria's Borno state, as suicide bombings rocked cities in bordering states. The same day, the Chadian and Cameroonian joint forces struck Boko Haram targets in Gamboru and secured cross-border bridges while bringing in more troops.
On Saturday, African leaders meeting for the African Union' Peace and Security Council, announced the creation of a 7,500-strong multinational force to combat Boko Haram, AP reported. The same day, the Chadian army launched air strikes against Boko Haram positions in Gamboru.
In October 2014, the leaders of Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon announced plans to step up the fight against Boko Haram with an additional battalion and a command center to tackle the group, and Chad began its operation in mid-January. Chad is considered impacted by this conflict not only because it is harmed by Boko Haram, but also because it faces a dire humanitarian situation as refugees flee to the country as Boko Haram's influence spreads in Nigeria.
On January 4, Boko Haram militants captured the town of Baga in Borno State, reportedly killing hundreds. "The human carnage perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists in Baga was enormous," Muhammad Abba Gava, a spokesman for a local defense group that fights militants, told the Associated Press. Reports emerged that approximately 2,000 people, mostly women, children and the elderly, were killed, according to Amnesty International.
