Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that there might be a link between the current resurgence of Boko Haram insurgents and next year’s presidential elections, according to a report this morning in The Guardian.

The paper quoted Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. John Agim, as telling on Friday in Abuja that some politicians may want to use the insecurity in the country’s North-East as a campaign rallying point, prior to the elections.

“He noted that the military was still studying the situation, so as to significantly contain any threat that might arise before the general elections,” the paper said.

“The Defence Spokesperson,” according to the report, “noted that the assault on the insurgents by the military has reduced in recent times because of the rainy season, but assured Nigerians that there was no threat to free and fair elections in the country next year.

“He accused some journalists of helping to hype the propaganda of the insurgents, saying it appears the terrorists alerted some journalists before carrying out any attack in the region.”