The Presidential and National Assembly elections were held nationwide on Saturday but they were marred by violence in many parts of the country.
The situation led to the loss of lives and disruption of the voting process in many areas.
In some areas, the Independent National Electoral Commission postponed elections till today (Sunday) over violence.
Stolen BVAS
The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, stated while briefing journalists on the situation report in Abuja that some BVAS machines were snatched from electoral officials.
Yakubu said insecurity in some states led to the delay experienced in some area.
The INEC chairman, who said polling units in Niger, Delta and Katsina states were attacked by thugs and eight BVAS were snatched by thugs, noted that three of the BVAS machines were later recovered.
He said, “Another contributing factor to the late opening of polling units is the perennial insecurity in the country. For instance, we could not deploy early enough to Alawa in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
“Bandits launched an attack, not necessarily on INEC offices or facilities, but in the area. With the advice of the security agencies, we waited a while, but I am happy to say that we were able to deploy to Alawa, and voting in that location is ongoing as we speak.
“Similarly, in the Oshimili LGA of Delta State, thugs attacked a polling unit and two BVAS machines were lost in the process. But again, determined that the election must continue, we were able to replace the stolen BVAS machine, reinforce security agencies and voting contained in that polling unit.
“Similarly, in Safana LGA of Katsina State, thugs attacked one of our voting locations and snatched six BVAS machines. But again, we were able to recover and use the spare BVAS machines and reinforce security for voting to continue in that location. Happily, security agencies have recovered the BVAS machines but three are still held by the thugs.”
Yakubu noted that the attacks by these thugs were targeted at the BVAS.
Lagos State
On Dipolubi Street in the Surulere area of Lagos, a woman, Efidi Bina Jennifer, was allegedly stabbed by thugs loyal to a political party at the polling unit. She, however, came back to cast her vote after being given first aid treatment and wearing heavy bandage on her face and dripping with blood.
Her picture and video went viral on social media with some Nigerians commending her resolve and raising money for her.
Her younger sister, Bina said, “We have taken her to the hospital but she is resting now. We have not reported it to the police but they visited her at the hospital.”
A polling unit outside the Oba Elegushi Palace at Ikate in Eti-Osa, Lekki, was attacked by thugs.
The hoodlums carted away ballot boxes and chased away electoral officers.
A resident of the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The information I’m getting is that violence erupted outside the Oba’s palace.
“The ballot boxes were snatched and everybody ran away. Thugs are still hanging around the area.”
Also, a popular tweep, Samuel Otigba, who voted in the polling unit inside the palace wrote on Twitter, “The vote outside the palace was scattered by area boys. Ballot box jacked (hijacked). (Thugs) chased the presiding officer away.
“They just physically assaulted @EditiEffiong because he was videoing the whole thing. He tried running into the palace when they saw and chased him but they locked the gate. This is madness. The police officers here just stood & did nothing. They took his phone & deleted the video.
“Was outside when they chased and assaulted @EditiEffiong, tried recording but they are beating anyone recording here & taking your phone if they spot you. Area dey hot.”
Kogi State
Violence and harassment of voters marred the election in Kogi State.
One of our correspondents, who monitored the elections in parts of the state, reports that the violence also led to the loss of lives in some areas.
At the Odaba polling unit in Dekina Ward, Ogege Road, voters fled from the voting arena as thugs came in large numbers to destroy voting materials.
The thugs, who appeared with machetes and guns, snatched ballot boxes, broke chairs and dispersed voters.
One of the political thugs was, however, gunned down by soldiers.
Rivers State
A pregnant woman identified as Ruth Osah, and a member of a local security outfit, Mark Orduize, were allegedly killed at a polling unit in the Ubimini community, Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Orduize was said to be a member of the Emohua Local Vigilante Service codenamed EMOLVIS.
The incident was said to have occurred in Ward 12 in Emuoha LGA, where houses were also burnt.
The incident caused pandemonium in the area and temporarily halted the elections.
Speaking to journalists, the President, Ubimini Youth Council, Ikechukwu Wordu, condemned the incident, saying the community had been peaceful before the polls.
“The situation in my community today (Saturday) during the presidential election was sad,” Wordu said.
He claimed that trouble started when a boy, who was armed with a gun, started chasing people around.
