ABUJA, Nigeria — The two leading candidates in this weekend's presidential elections pledged Thursday to accept the outcome as a new report showed that Boko Haram Islamic extremists, who are threatening to disrupt the vote, have killed more than 1,000 civilians this year.
The violence last month forced postponement of presidential elections that are now scheduled for Saturday. Boko Haram is also using an unknown number of civilians as human shields as its fighters flee a multinational military force in northeast Nigeria, a government spokesman, Mike Omeri, said Wednesday.
The main contenders, President Goodluck Jonathan and former military dictator Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday re-committed themselves to a peaceful outcome. The two met and signed a peace pledge in Abuja, the capital, similar to one they made in January.
Buhari told reporters afterward that it does not mean a blanket acceptance of results. "How can we accept? ... I said under free, fair and credible elections ... That is the caveat."
Reports indicate that Boko Haram has taken to slaughtering and kidnapping civilians as it retreats before the regional force led by troops from Nigeria and Chad.
