Ad hoc INEC officials who were tented at Tudunwada Primary School in the Gombe city were attacked on Friday night by suspected hoodlums.
According to reports, the intruders took no fewer than three phones, back packs, and power banks. Three people, however, who had machete cuts, were taken directly to the hospital, while others were treated for a variety of wounds.
The attack was corroborated by an eyewitness who asked to remain anonymous. He also said that some of his colleagues who had received training to oversee the presidential and National Assembly Elections had had their phones stolen.
He revealed that many of them were hurt after the incident as they made their way to safety.
“The police and the school guard were no where to be found. They went with phones belonging to my colleagues. I sustained injuries while trying to escape,” he added.
He criticized the security personnel’s delayed response, saying, “An attack that took place at about 11pm, and it wasn’t until they (hoodlums) left that police came to maintain order.”
When reached, Mahid Abubakar, the Gombe State Command’s police public relations officer, confirmed the occurrence and said he had just received a distress call about the same location.
Abubakar stated, “I was just called and I’m going there right now. I promised to contact our correspondent after determining the true cause. Perhaps the authorities will explain what happened later.
As of the time this story was filed, Mohorret Bigun, the state’s INEC Public Affairs Officer, had not responded to a text message.