Thugs destroy election materials in Nasarawa, invade police barracks

Unrest and violence continues to take its toll on some states within the country over the elections, as hoodlums invaded a police barracks polling unit in Lafia at about 10pm on Saturday where the first lady of Nasarawa state, Salamatu Almakura was casting her vote.

This came in after Yakubu Kwanta, former local government chairman in Nasarawa state was beaten by angry youths for trying to steal ballot boxes but he later denied accusations.

Senator Suleiman Adokwe, representing Nasarawa South Senatorial Zone, and senate committee Chairman on Information said he was attacked at St Williams Primary School, Lafia the collation centre for Gayam ward.

The senator disclosed that the incident happened after information reached him by his agents concerning an alleged plan by some government officials to cart away ballot boxes and also to influence the results of the polls.

He said: Police confirm 5 post-election deaths in Taraba

“When my agent at the Gayam Ward Collation Centre, Lafia, called to intimate me at about 1pm of the presence of some state government officials there, I decided to go and see things for myself. “On sighting me, some hoodlums around the centre started shouting that I should go away, that I was not from Lafia and as such I did not belong there.

“Before I could understand what was happening, they started rushing at me with clubs, stones, and spears. It took divine intervention for me to escape.”

He expressed disappointment concerning the rate at which the electoral process was going in the state and called on the Police to act accordingly. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bola Longe, confirmed that the senator called to inform him of the incident.

The incident forced Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officials, journalists and others to scurry for safety while security operatives were left helpless.

By Todimu Ogunade…

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