At least two people were killed early Sunday in a dawn raid by Chadian security forces on the home of opposition leader Yaya Dillo Djérou. Dillo says five members of his family including his mother and son died. Government spokesperson Chérif Mahamat Zène says two people were killed and five wounded, including three police officers.

Zène claims security forces were fired on as they attempted to arrest Dillo, and had to retaliate. He says there was ‘a well-planned attempt to destabilise the state’. The internet and phone lines were cut as reports of the attack emerged.

The incident came two days after Dillo submitted his candidacy for presidential elections scheduled for April 11. Dillo was a former rebel and more recently a minister in Idriss Déby’s government. Déby, president since 1990, is seeking a sixth term. Around 17 candidates have submitted candidacies to run.