Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan was almost killed as a female suicide bomber detonated a bomb during a campaign rally just minutes after he left the area, but 18 people were injured in the attack.

According to reports, the suspected suicide bomber detonated the bomb at a car park just meters away from the stadium where the president was minutes before. He was reportedly in the area to deliver a speech before the supporters of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

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Those who were injured were brought to the Gombe State Specialist Hospital. Authorities scouring the crime scene also recovered two female bodies suspected to be the carriers of the bomb.

Although no one has come forward to claim reesponsibility for th bombing, the militant group Boko Haram is said to be the principal suspect as this is not the first time they have attacked the state.

The possible motive of the attack was suspected to have something to do with Nigeria's upcoming presidential election on February 14, 2014. Jonathan of PDP will be going against former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

This is the second violent attack in the country this week. On Sunday, Boko Haram reportedly attacked civilians in a mosque in Gombe, leaving five dead and eight injured.

The election is seen as one of the closest fights and the International Criminal Court (ICC) asked both parties not to have any violent moves during the Election Day. However, the supporters of the APC and PDP have been waging deadly battles despite the ICC's request.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has been claiming that they have seized territories in Chad and Cameroon from the Boko Haram militants after months of battling. However, Boko Haram militants are still in control of most of the Borno state and that they have also surrounded Maiduguri, which is one of the few places where the voting is said to take place.

Maiduguri is said to be really important for Jonathan as a lot of supporters reside there but many of them have fled the area for fear of the militants. 

TagsGoodluck Jonathan, Boko Haram, femaie suicide bomber, Nigeria, Presidential Election