Nigeria election violence killed at least 39

Civil society groups monitoring Nigeria's presidential and parliamentary election said yesterday that 39 people have been killed in violence linked to the vote.

The Situation Room, an umbrella group of more than 70 organisations, said "election-related violence... led to the death of at least 39 Nigerians" in the last two days.

The body, which previously gave a death toll of 16, had more than 8,000 observers on the ground for Saturday's vote, at which President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking a second term.

"Situation Room reiterates that no election in Nigeria should cost the life of any citizen and condemns in the strongest terms the lack of empathy, concern and sensitivity by the police class regarding these events," it said in a statement.

A total of 16 people were killed in the southern state of Rivers, which has long been a flashpoint for political violence.

Bayelsa, which neighbours Rivers to the west, saw four deaths, and Delta, the next state along, had two fatalities. Eight other states around the country saw people killed.