Security beefed up at Nigeria election collation center ahead of presidential result declaration

Security was beefed up at the national collation center where results of Nigeria's presidential election held in weekend will be finally collated and declared on Monday.

Several road blocks were mounted by state security agents who also monitored the accreditation of officials and journalists within and outside the collation center.

Journalists at the collation center faced an uphill task performing their duties as security agents continued to restrict their movement in the area.

Final counting of votes is underway in Nigeria's presidential election, with the country's electoral commission saying it hopes to announce the winner on Monday.

Saturday's voting was extended by an additional day after the delayed arrival of ballot papers and some technical glitches.

Voting spilled into a second day on Sunday in some parts of Nigeria after some polling stations reported problems with the new electronic card reader. The process was largely peaceful despite sporadic attacks in parts of the country.

Counting of votes started on Sunday and electoral officials say they hope to announce preliminary results on Monday. Analysts say this election is the closest to call in the country's history.

Incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan is facing a stiff challenge from ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

Many hope the new leader can address the economic woes caused by falling oil prices and security threats posed by the extremist group Boko Haram. Endi