Nigeria claims to destroy Boko Haram headquarters

Nigeria's military said on Friday that it has destroyed the headquarters of Boko Haram in the northeast town of Gwoza — a claim that comes one day ahead of Nigeria's presidential elections.

"Troops this morning captured Gwoza destroying the Headquarters of the Terrorists self-styled Caliphate," Nigeria's defense department said on Twitter.

It was not immediately possible to verify the claim. 

There was no mention by the military of the Sambisa Forest, in Gwoza local government area, where Nigeria's home-grown armed group is believed to have camps. Planes have been bombarding the area for weeks.

Sambisa Forest is also where Boko Haram fighters first took nearly 300 schoolgirls kidnapped in Chibok a year ago. Some 219 remain missing.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, meanwhile, warned against violence ahead of Saturday's presidential election as people began stockpiling food, cash and fuel for fear of clashes. 

Jonathan will face former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari in what is seen as the closest presidential race since the end of military rule in 1999.

In a broadcast to the nation on Friday, Jonathan said no political ambition could justify violence or bloodshed, adding that security measures had been taken to guarantee a free and fair election. 

"Let me warn, however, that as President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am under oath to protect the lives of all Nigerians and the security of our country at all times. I will never abdicate my responsibilities in that regard," Jonathan said.

Around 800 people died in post-election violence in 2011, in which Jonathan defeated Buhari. Western powers have been pressing both sides not to stoke tensions, with U.S. President Barack Obama issuing a direct appeal for calm this week. 

However, in the capital, Abuja, long queues formed outside banks as people sought to withdraw money. Lines for fuel also stretched for hundreds of yards in cities across the country. 

"I'm getting my cash out now because I don't know what is going to happen. If it gets bad, you don't want to be stuck with no cash," said Wale Olatunji, 31, a businessman queuing in the sun at a bank in Abuja.

Wire services