Some ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gombe State have been attacked by suspected hoodlums who stormed their camp at Tudunwada Primary School, where had they camped ahead of today’s elections.
Three officials of the commission suffered machete injuries.
The attack was confirmed by the State Commissioner of Police, Oqua Etim, on Saturday, when he received journalists.
Etim said the attack was possible because the electoral officials moved with election materials without security officials.
“They were attacked by suspected hoodlums. It is very unfortunate, the ad hoc staff moved with materials ahead of the security personnel. That was the mistake they made,” he said.
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Continuing, the police boss said, “They were trying to settle in before other colleagues who were to go with the security team from INEC office.
“Unfortunately, the hoodlums took advantage of that. We have taken steps to ensure that such a situation doesn’t occur again.
“This has never happened. We planned that as they leave the INEC office as a team, they will be escorted to their various locations.”
The suspected hoodlums stole cell phones, backpacks, and power banks during the attack.
INEC is yet to react to the incident as of the time of this report.