Insecurity threatens Nigeria's democracy as voters elect a new president

Workers offload electoral materials from a vehicle at Independent National Electoral Comission (INEC) premises, prior to the Nigerian presidential elections, in Gusau, Zamfara, Nigeria, February 9, 2023. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja

GUSAU, Nigeria (Reuters) - Bandits spraying villages with bullets, killing residents and setting buildings ablaze. Rampant cattle rustling and clashes between farmers and herders. Mass kidnappings for ransom.

These are among the litany of challenges confronting Sa'idu Ahmad, an electoral officer tasked with organising voting for Nigeria's next president and members of parliament on Feb. 25 in the northwestern state of Zamfara.