At least 66 people lost their lives in armed attacks carried out in Kaduna in Nigeria, West African country, before the presidential and parliamentary elections, while the elections were postponed to 23 February for security reasons.

West African country, Nigeria, the presidential and parliamentary elections in the city of Kaduna before the armed attacks, 66 people were killed, the elections were postponed to 23 February for security reasons.

The Kaduna State government issued a statement on Friday that 66 persons including women and children were killed at eight different settlements in Kajuru local government of the state.

The statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to the Kaduna governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, did not specify when the killing occurred.

Nigeria, with its 84 million population, is the most crowded country in the West African countries. Hours before the elections scheduled to take place, the elections were postponed for "security reasons".

"As a result of detailed reviews, it will not be possible to make fair and reliable elections in the current conditions," said Nigeria's Electoral Commission in a statement and added that the elections have postponed to February 23.

ILKHA